In Memory of Mrs. Lena Dixon Neill
one of Bladen's finest

Departed this life Tuesday, January 2, 2001 entering into
blessed sleep answering the call of her Lord.  She was the daughter
of the late Neal Dixon and Blanch Brown Dixon.  Most of her life was spent caring for,
ministering to, and encouraging any who called upon her.
Raised by Christ centered parents, she joined St. James Holiness Church at an early age,
working faithfully throughout her life.  She mastered many positions in the church and did
it joyfully.  Her faithfulness to the churches of the community was such that many new 
pastors believed she was one of their members.  Many will remember her presence and
big smile while she tended the voting polls as her civic duty.
She completed her teachers certification at Fayetteville State Normal and taught in Kelly
and Council Schools.  She did motivational teachings at Baltimore Community Center 
and helped secure it for our community.
For more than sixty-nine years she served as host, cook, and overseer of Oakland 
Plantation.
She was an integral part of the Neisler Family.
She was joined in holy matrimony to the late Willis D. Neill on January 15, 1928.  
To that union, four children were born.  Two preceded her in death, Howard H. Neill 
and Barbara J. Neill Holmes.  She was also preceded in death by five brothers, 
Theodore, Alexander, Eugene, Robert, and Paul.
She leaves to cherish her loving memory; daughter, Marjorie Jeralene Smith; 
son, W.D. Neill Jr.; four sisters, Effie J. Rogers, Blanch Pone (Reverend Frank), 
Elizabethtown, NC, Helen L. Best (Thaddus), Goldsboro, NC, Lois A. Shaw (Fred), 
Newark, NJ; three sisters-in-laws, Rebecca Dixon, Council, NC, 
Naomi Dixon, Henderson, NC and Beulah Peterson, Wilmington, NC, 
twenty grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren; eight great great grandchildren; 
and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.