Ann Marshall Neill

1936 - 2016

Mrs. Ann Marshall Neill, 80, died peacefully at the breakfast table Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016. She had been in declining health for some years. Ann's foundation was strong and her indomitable strength conquered some major tests on life's journey.

A service of celebration will be held Friday, Sept. 30, at 10 a.m., at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 3115 Providence Rd., Charlotte.

A committed, independent and energetic person, Ann's varied interests embraced numerous projects and causes. She taught at several Charlotte primary schools in the 1960's and organized a literacy program at Eastover Elementary. As the vivacious mother of two sons, David Snider and John Snider, Ann invitingly made their Llewellyn Place home the neighborhood gathering spot. The cramped garage loft was the clubhouse. She was team mother for Harry & Bryant Little League. Her square-backed canary yellow VW was a familiar sight at Sugar Mountain as she hauled youngsters from Charlotte for week-end skiing. Surely she set a mileage record for carpooling to Charlotte Latin in its early days.

Summers were for beach gatherings at Ocean Isle and Sunset, sharing good times and paperback mysteries with the same families each season. Her friendships were eclectic. Loyalty was The Test. Tennis was her personal sport although Annie was quite a dancer. Reading and music were favorite activities. She delighted in challenging mind games and charades. She was a stylish but quiet dresser, elegant and feminine. Show her something with purple and the sale was made. Ann was a self-taught gourmet cook. Gardening and flowers were a devoted hobby and she rarely failed to save a stricken plant. Children and pets topped her interests. Youngsters commented on the thoughtfulness of her gift giving. Aunt Ann, or Nana, always seemed to know just the right present. When grandchildren (9) began to arrive, there were memories of playing ping pong, shuffleboard and other games in the Montreat family cottage, the Cedar Chest, and exploring the lake, streams and trails.

Her leadership benefitted Charlotte. She was called a "pioneering spirit" while working with Sarah Bryant to form Planned Parenthood's local chapter, of which she later was president. As president of WDAV's classical music advisory board she led the fund drive for a new broadcast tower. For 14 years she served as a trustee of Warren Wilson College outside of Asheville. She was on Charlotte's Bio-Ethics medical panel. Always an honors student, the field of personal counseling attracted her back to study toward a master's degree. Her teacher education was at Woman's College, now UNCG. She graduated in 1958.

Ann was born in West Orange, NJ, and moved to Winston Salem in the mid-1940's. Her parents, Robert Nelson Marshall and Louise Richards Marshall are deceased. She was married in 1988 to Rolfe Neill for 28 years-6 years after he finally convinced her. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her children David Snider and husband Jeff Hall, and John Snider and wife Melissa, of Charlotte; Clifford Neill, Mt. Gilead; Ashley Neill Flair (Jay), Albemarle; Dana Neill Baker (Chuck), Davidson; Ingrid Neill Ebert (Keith) Kernersville; and Quentin Neill, Charlotte; grandchildren Olivia Snider, Jordan Flair (Brittany), Levi Flair, Sabrina Baker Moore (Robert), Alexa Baker, Garrett Baker, Michael Ebert (Kelly), Nicholas Ebert, Eva Ebert and great granddaughter Elle Flair. Also surviving are a sister Lindsay Marshall Green, El Paso, TX; brother, Dr. Robert N. Marshall Jr, Chapel Hill; numerous nieces and nephews, and special friend Mary Ann Ingram, Lancaster, SC.

Those wishing to send memorials might consider TreesCharlotte, 701 Tuckaseegee Rd., Charlotte, 28208; Planned Parenthood, 4822 Albemarle Rd., Suite 104 Charlotte, 28205; Warren Wilson College, PO Box 9000, Asheville, 28815; WDAV, Box 8990, Davidson, 28035, or to any worthy cause that would bring joy to the donor.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Services, 1321 Berkeley Avenue, Charlotte, NC 704-641-7606.