Shirley McNeill

Shirley Marie Toon-McNeill, 83, of Brooklyn, New York, entered heavenly rest on February 25, 2022. She was born in Dunn, North Carolina to the late Huey and Sophronia Smith (Toon).

Shirley attended Harnett High School in Dunn, NC and graduated in 1956. She was an exceptionally talented Basketball player, she was Awarded a Full four year Athletic Basketball Scholarship. After graduating High School Shirley married her high school sweetheart, Robert McNeill. From this union, came five beautiful daughters: Debra, Barbara, Elaine, Christie, and Brenda. As a family the decision was made to relocate to Newark, NJ. Shirley attended Business School and became an excellent Clerical Typist. A few years later, Shirley relocated to Brooklyn, NY where she resided in the Historical Clinton Hills area, the family home location. She began her own Residential Cleaning Business which serviced the Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn and Manhattan area’s. Over the years Shirley became the neighborhood “Grandmother'' and many called her “Caca”, which originated as a family name. She was known in the community for her true passion of cooking all the wonderful foods of days gone by. In her free time she loved to travel. She especially enjoyed her travels to Puerto Rico, Hawaii as well as her annual Dunn, NC school reunion which she faithfully attended over the past 48 yrs. She was always the life of the party, dancing to her favorite song “The Electric Slide”.

In 2012, Shirley was inducted into the Harnett High School Basketball Hall of fame. Shirley was an avid gardener as well. She and a friend started a garden on S. Portland Avenue, in Brooklyn, NY many years ago. It has now flourished into a beautiful community garden and offers various services. Shirley was a loving Wife, Sister, Aunt, and Grandmother. But most of all, a devoted Mother who enjoyed spending time with her family. She lived a full, beautiful life and will be missed dearly.

She was preceded in death by her Husband Robert McNeill, her beloved Daughters Debra Nixon, Barbara McNeill, and Christie McNeill (Jackson). Sisters - Helen Patterson, and Maxine Smith. Adored Grandsons - John Prince Naheem Coles and Najeer Jackson.

Shirley leaves in the care of God her two Daughters, Elaine Lawrence and Brenda McNeill. Grandchildren; Sharina Nixon-Pitts, D’Shawn Jones, Khalil Nixon, Ieasha McNeill-Huey, Robert McNeill, Shawna Lawrence, Ariona Johnson, Ra-Elliot Johnson, Enchandra Johnson, Ahmad McNeill-Bey, Shalisia Jackson, Rahjier Jackson, 15 Great-Grandchildren. A host of Nieces, Nephews, Cousins and Friends.

Funeral Service will be March 19, 2022, 11AM, at Dafford Funeral Home Chapel Dunn North Carolina.  Masks and social distancing are required.

Burial will follow at Toon Family Cemetery, 400 North Wilson Ave., Dunn, North Carolina

.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Shirley McNeill, please visit our floral store.