Virginia Lee Ball McNeill

1934 - 2021

Virginia Lee Ball McNeill

Virginia Lee Ball McNeill, beloved wife, mother, Grandma and Great Grandma, went to heaven to join her late husband Charles on Monday, November 15, 2021 at the age of 87.

Virginia was the youngest of three children born to Dewey and Evelyn Davis Ball in Denton on July 7, 1934. She attended the North Texas Lab School in Denton and graduated from Abilene High School. She married the love of her life, Charles McNeill on February 14, 1953. They took over both of their parents' businesses, McNeill's Appliances and Ball Furniture in the early 1960s forming McNeills Furniture and Appliance, a fixture of the Denton courthouse square.

Running the business was demanding, but Charlie and Virginia found the time to bring two children into the world, Pamela and Steven, and they were the most devoted parents one can imagine, attending all of their activities and supporting all of their interests. Charlie and Virginia and the kids made many wonderful memories having adventures and entertaining friends on their houseboat. Vacations were rare with a thriving business to run, but Charlie and Virginia eventually were able to travel to some special places via numerous sales awards won from their suppliers.

When grandchildren came along, Virginia and Charlie were extremely devoted and supportive grandparents attending countless sports events, taking the children fishing and out to let their beloved dogs run in the country, teaching the grandkids about scrapbooking, cooking, and their many other interests. Time with Grandma and “KK� was always special and they made each of their grandkids feel so loved. Charlie left the world too soon in 1997, but Virginias strength carried her forward running the business and pursuing her hobbies of scrapbooking, genealogy, and stamp collecting. A gifted writer, one of Virginia's bucket list items was to document many wonderful family stories, which she did through creating her own blog. These, along with the many wonderful photo albums she created, will be cherished forever.

Virginia had earlier been forced to cut her college education short, initially due to lack of funds, and later due to the demands of parenthood and the business. After Charlie's death she was determined to finish her college degree and somehow found the time to attend classes at North Texas while juggling the demands of the business, her hobbies, and being a devoted Grandma. She took 1 or 2 classes per semester at night for several years, learned how to take tests online, and was adored by both her young classmates and professors. In 2005, she achieved her dream of college graduation from North Texas at the age of 71, graduating Magna Cum Laude and making the local and even national news as a human-interest story. Virginia finally retired from the business in 2020 at the age of 85, leaving it in the capable hands of her daughter, Pam.

Virginia was a remarkable woman who was well-respected in business circles and a wonderful role model for her family, always conducting herself with integrity, grace, and kindness. She had a zest for life and was always full of fun. Virginia was a member of First United Methodist Church of Denton. She is survived by her daughter Pam (Steve) Grimes of Denton, son Steve (Lara) McNeill of Arlington, grandchildren Brandy (Erin) Grimes of Denton, Justin Grimes of Dallas, Stephanie (Eric) Hale of Franklin, Tennessee, Melissa McNeill of New York City, great-granddaughter Camden Leighann Hale, and half-brother Philip (Buff) Hillis of Dallas.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Charlie McNeill, her sister Cherry Ball, and her brother Jack Ball.

A visitation will be held from 1:30 to 3:30 PM Sunday, November 21, 2021 at Mulkey-Bowles-Montgomery Funeral Home, 705 N. Locust St. The funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM Tuesday, November 23, 2021 at First United Methodist Church, 201 S. Locust St, Denton. Interment will follow at IOOF Cemetery, 711 S. Carroll Blvd., Denton.