Barbara Bennett Hawkins McNeill, 95, of Elkin and High Meadows passed away October 5, 2017, after a long illness. She had been a resident of Elkin for 70 years, moving there when her husband Dr. Claude A. McNeill, Jr., began the practice of medicine in his hometown. Barbara served her community generously, helping found the Hugh Chatham Hospital Auxiliary and spearheading the Red Cross bloodmobile for many years. She was honored by the Junior Woman's Club's Woman of the Year award for her volunteer work.
She and her husband were loyal supporters of Salem College, Wake Forest University and Bowman Gray all their married lives, attending hundreds of basketball and football games, medical meetings and reunions. A graduate of Salem College, "Bobbie" grew to love the Moravian traditions.
During their 59-year marriage, the McNeills recruited many new physicians and their families to Elkin, and introduced visiting college coaches to young area athletes. Well into her eighties she followed with great enthusiasm the pro basketball players who were grads of WFU. For over fifty years she adored staying summers in the Blue Ridge mountains with "Doc."
Barbara was born Dec. 27, 1921 in Clio, SC, to the Rev. Frank and Ruby Bennett Hawkins. She and her younger brother Frank were both pianists and great lovers of classical music, like their musician parents. The McNeill house, too, was filled with music almost daily, a legacy now shared by all the generations. She is survived by children Ann Rogers (Jay) of Matthews NC and Claude A. "Mac" McNeill, III, (Paulette) of Elkin; and granddaughters Mary E. "Molly" Campbell (Brian) of Waxhaw, Barbara Ann Rogers of Norfolk, VA, and Lara Dickerson (Don) of Hamptonville. Her great grandchildren, Isabel and James Campbell and Taylor and Alex Dickerson, were a source of great joy for their "Mimi." Sister-in-law Elizabeth Callaway of Elkin also survives, as do seven nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017, conducted by Dr. Bill Johnson at First Baptist Church of Elkin, 110 Gwyn Ave. In lieu of flowers, the family requests gifts be made to Hugh Chatham Hospital Foundation, 180 Parkwood Dr., Elkin; the First Baptist Church of Elkin; or to the Pruitt Health Hospice-Wilkes, 902 W. D St., Suite B, N. Wilkesboro, NC 28659.
Online condolences may be made at jkennedyfsl.com. John Kennedy funeral director is assisting the McNeill family with funeral arrangements.