Robert (“Uncle Bob”) McNeil

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4

Many families find themselves during this time trying to figure out how to express the life of a loved one, but for us its easy to talk about the man affectionately known to all as “Uncle Bob”.

Robert McNeil, Born July 9, 1940, in Brooklyn, New York was the patriarch of our family. He was the oldest living male for over four generations. He was a friend, neighbor, educator, confidant, a shoulder, an ear, a father, grandfather, brother, cousin, but most important to him was being a servant and an uncle.

Robert McNeil was passionate about education and the enrichment of the lives and wellbeing of children. He had a servant’s heart from birth, sacrificially caring for his grandparents until their departure. He reared many people in many capacities. He was fondly known for his participation as a camp director for Camp Kuntah in Cambridge, NY and as an Honorary Educator of Lakota St. Josephs Indian School. Giving was his love language, showing love to all was his passion, advocating for children was his primary servanthood.

Robert McNeil’s love for education led him to become a licensed mathematics educator servicing secondary education in Brooklyn, NY for over 40 years. He graduated from Erasmus Hall High School in 1958 and obtained his Bachelor of Arts from Brooklyn College in 1963. He was a member of Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity and the NAACP Chapter in Brooklyn, NY. Robert McNeil moved to Walterboro, SC in October of 2003 to be closer to family and to start the second half of his life.

He began his spiritual journey at Glover Memorial Baptist Church in Brooklyn, NY where he was a deacon and a presiding member of their trustee board. Upon relocation to South Carolina, he joined St. Peters A.M.E Church of Walterboro, SC and thereafter transitioned to New Covenant Fellowship Ministries in late 2015. He served in any capacity that was available.

Robert is preceded in death by his parents: Gertrude Richardson-Paige, stepfather Alfred Paige, father John Robert McNeil, stepmother Lottie Breland McNeil, grandparents Ira & Ida Gadison, aunts Florence Richardson & Vera Purdy-McNeil, Uncle Gabriel McNeil, Jr. and two special cousins Beatrice & Rose.

He leaves to cherish his memories; his children Chimere Platt, Chiffon McNeil & Michael Platt, siblings; Freda Alexander, Gabriel McNeil, III (Sonja), Claudia Brown, Beverly, Adele, Ronnie & Charlotte Harris, grandchildren, Michelle, Ayala, Aneesa, Trevon, DeNiyah, Caydin, & Karter, nieces & nephews; Tanya Paige, April Paige-Doctor (Don), Jermale Paige (Madeline), Alexis Robinson (Clay Sr.), Latisha Paige, Javon Delaney, Kayanie Williams, Diera Blackwell, Khaseem Robinson, Clay Robinson, Jr., Special Cousins, Cyteria & Dorothy Ann, a special friend like a brother; Hilton Fryar, Sr. (Linda) along with a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins, caring relatives, church family members and friends.

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