Glenda McNeil

Glenda Dale Smith McNeil of Auburn, AL passed away September 29, 2025, at 6:17pm at Bethany House of Auburn.  Mrs. McNeil is preceded in death by:

Grandparents: Minnis P. Smith & Grace Munn Smith

Parents: Edward Thomas Smith & Martha Addy Smith

Grandson: Brandon S. Maluff

She is survived by her husband of 63 years, James (Jim) L. McNeil and daughter, Lisa M. Skelton (Andy), granddaughter, Alexandria Grace Skelton, all of Auburn. Son, Brian A. McNeil (Weiling), grandson, Ethan Wei McNeil, of College Station, Texas and her brother Johnny L. Smith, of Louin, Mississippi.

Glenda Dale Smith McNeil, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and cherished friend, passed away peacefully on September 29, at the age of 84.

Glenda was born at home in Jasper County, Mississippi to Edward and Martha Smith on January 7, 1941.  Glenda attended Montrose elementary school and then Bay Springs High School where she met her future husband “Sonny” McNeil.  Glenda was an exceptional student and very popular among all classmates.  She was a cheerleader, played basketball and was voted most likely to succeed. Following high school Glenda graduated from Jones Junior College with an associate degree in Business Administration. 

Glenda loved music and was an accomplished pianist.  She played each Sunday for her local church while in high school and later, while in junior college, played for the school’s choral singing group. 

The skills developed during these years would serve her well later in life.  While her husband, Jim, served our country in the U.S. Air Force, during the Vietnam War she began raising two small children, Lisa and Brian.  Following her husband’s resignation from the military, they lived in South Carolina before moving to LaGrange, GA where they settled for over 45 years and raised their children.  During that time Glenda would serve as a school secretary while her children were young and later obtain her license to sell real estate, which she greatly enjoyed.  However, in 1985 she would realize her dream of entrepreneurship with the purchase of the Grapevine Hallmark Shop, which would later expand to include Dale’s Hallmark in Columbus, GA.  Jim and Glenda would manage and operate the hallmark stores as a team for more than 30 years.

Glenda and Jim were long time members of First Baptist Church on the Square in LaGrange, GA where they actively participated in Dr. Paul Baxter’s Sunday School Class and other church activities.

Jim and Glenda later built their third house together in the Auburn, AL area to be closer to family prior to Glenda’s illness. Glenda bravely battled breast cancer for almost five years before succumbing to the disease.  She never wanted friends and family to worry, as she never wanted to inconvenience anyone.  Glenda is now pain free and at peace in heaven with her Lord and Savior and reunited with loved ones gone before her.  Rest well beloved.

Services will be held Saturday, October 4, 2025, at Jeffcoat Trant Funeral Home, 1500 Frederick Road in Opelika, AL  36801

Visitation will precede the service at 10:00am followed by a Celebration of Life in the Jeffcoat Trant Chapel at 11:00am.  Glenda will be buried in Town Creek Cemetery, 1150 S. Gay Street, Auburn, AL 36830.  A private graveside service for family and closest friends will follow the ceremony. 

In lieu of flowers you may make donations in Glenda McNeil’s name to Bethany House of Auburn or to Samaritan’s Purse: Operation Christmas Child.