Esther G. McNeill was born on April 17, 1931, to the late Kelly S. and Maggie F. Graham. She was called home May 6, 2018.

Esther acknowledged Christ as her personal savior under the guidance of her parents and became a faithful member of New Bethel A.M.E. Zion Church, where she served as Sunday School and Bible School Teacher until her health failed.

She attended Cumberland County Schools, graduating from Anne Chestnutt High School. She attended and graduated from Winston-Salem State University with a Bachelor of Science in Education. She taught elementary school in the Cumberland County School System for 35 years and was involved in the Ruth House.

Esther was preceded in death by herhusband, Joseph McNeill; daughter, Valerie Mickle; sisters, Marie Graham, Mattie Ann Johnson and Queen E. Smith; and brother, Kelly B. Graham.

Her memory will be engraved in the hearts of her daughter, Cheryl R. White; son Gregory T. McNeill; daughter-in-law, Angela McNeill; grandchildren, Maggie Moore Basu, Nathaniel Holmes, S. Monique Moore, Morris A. Bishop and Michael McNeill; great-grandchildren, Amir Basu, Leela Basu and Angel Holmes; neice, Mariya Thomas Simon; nephew, Donnerll Graham; cousins, Tylda Peoples and Cambriah Allen; and countless others.