Obituary of Jerome E McNeil

Obituary of Dr. E McNeil Rev. Dr. Jerome E. McNeil, Jr. went from labor to reward Sunday, July 15, 2012. Dr. McNeil passed away unexpectedly soon after completing his Sunday morning sermon entitled "I'm Better Than I Used to Be." Dr. McNeil served as the Senior Pastor of Christian Chapel "Temple of Faith" Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church (CCTOF) in Dallas, Texas. Dr. McNeil was 63 years old. McNeil was born in Cleburne, Texas on January 4, 1949 and spent the majority of his life in Texas. Dr. McNeil graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Cleburne, Texas. He graduated from North Texas State University (now the University of North Texas) with a Bachelor's of Science in Psychology and the University of Houston Graduate School of Social Work with a Master's of Social Work (with honors). McNeil then completed post graduate studies at Rutgers University Leadership Institute and the University of Texas at Galveston Medical Branch School of Biomedical Sciences and Columbia Pacific University consortium earning a PhD in Counseling Psychology. He continued his professional training at Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Virginia, Houston Medical Center, Dallas Theological Seminary and Candler Theological Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. McNeil was the Senior Pastor of CCTOF for 21 years and under his leadership the church grew to more than 6,000 members and over 90 ministries, making it one of the largest churches in the CME denomination. Dr. McNeil focused on spiritual empowerment and equipping others for ministry. He was preceded in death by his father, Rev. Jerome E. McNeil, Sr., mother, Charlee McNeil, and his grandparents, E.G. McNeil and Elnora McNeil, Brian Slaton, Henderson Warren and Jackie Warren. The celebration of his life continues with his wife of 40 years, Billye, daughters, Charla McNeil and Vanita Wilson, his only son-in-law Michael Wilson and his granddaughters, Kyra and Melody, beloved aunt Mildred McNeil (Cleburne, Texas), aunt Ophelia Stull (Frierson, Louisiana), first cousins Jacquie Morris (Chicago, Illinois), Sylvia Morris (Jacksonville, Florida), brother-in-law , Jethro Caldwell (Houston), sister-in-law Jannie Caldwell (Houston, Texas), niece Teri Caldwell (Houston, Texas), nephew Kevin Caldwell (Shellye, LeeAnn, James) (Houston, Texas), a host of very special goddaughters and godsons, CCTOF church family, Men of Faith ministry, friends, ministerial colleagues, along with countless sons and daughters in the ministry. His legacy is one of Christ-like compassion, humility, and grace. Viewing: 9-10:30 a.m., and Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 21, 2012 both at Christian Chapel Temple of Faith CME Church-14120 Noel Road-Dallas, Texas 75240 Public Viewing: 3-7pm, Friday, July 20, 2012 at Black and Clark Funeral Chapel-2517 E. Illinois Ave.-Dallas, Texas