Sue McNeil
Sue Carolyn Morrow McNeil of Chattanooga died at home on May 9, 2019. She was 79.
For 19 years, she bested breast cancer, never letting it prevent her from doing the things she loved with the people she loved. Her husband, Ronald A. (Ronny) McNeil, son, Michael McNeil of Atlanta, daughter, Dr. Barbara McDonald of Wilmington, NC, grandchildren, Austin and Madison McNeil and Ellen and Jackson McDonald, her sister, Barbara Broach of Florence, Al. and her nephews, Kent and Mark Kimberlin and their families all will testify that Sue, not cancer, was the boss of her life.
Born in Bolivar, Tn., to Austin and Violet Morrow, the youngest of three children, (Gorden, deceased in 1989 and Barbara Kimerlin Broach), Sue graduated from Lawrenceburg High School in 1957 and then entered the University of Tennessee. There she met and married Ronald McNeil of Kingsport Tn. in 1958. This year is their 61st anniversary, and that Sue loved Ronny, and Ronny loved Sue, was the truth of their marriage from beginning to end. In that 61 years, they raised and educated two children and four grandchildren, built a thriving pharmaceutical company from scratch, made literally hundreds of dear friends, were active in First Baptist Church and in their communities and schools. They actively supported good causes far and wide.
When she was able, Sue loved tennis, snow skiing, running, and exercise of all types. She was an avid reader and bridge player. She was a member of many organizations of service, as well as many groups organized for fun. She was a leader and a worker in every group of which she was a part. She loved traveling with the Tackies to places in the states, and with other dear friends and family to places all over the world.
However, Sue’s true passion was people. Ronny, Mike, Barbara, and the grandkids were always on her mind. She was planning with them and for them and guiding them daily.
And still she had space in that mighty head for a host of friends. She gathered friends like a bee gathers honey, and she stored the dreams and worries and memories of literally hundreds of friends in her heart. She never forgot and she never quit loving each person in her life. Sue’s faith and love of God was clearly shown through her love for all His people.
A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church on Friday, May 17, at 2:30 p.m., with members of the Waters Class serving as honorary pallbearers. Visitation and celebration will follow at the Chattanooga Golf and Country Club.
Sue’s favorite charity, because of her granddaughter Ellen, is the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association, (8588 Potter Park Drive, Suite 500, Sarasota FL 34238 or pwsausa.org)
Sue loved her church and donations to First Baptist would also please her.
Arrangements are under the care of the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com