Wilda “Widdie” Mae Jewell McNeil, 87, of Dunbar, entered the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on July 14, 2025.
Wilda was born on April 22, 1938, in Charleston, WV, the daughter of the late Clifford and Sophronia Hicks Russell. Following the passing of her mother during childbirth, Wilda was lovingly raised by her “Mama Deal” and extended family in Logan, WV.
Wilda was married to the love of her life, James “Jim” McNeil for 64 years. Their paths crossed twice before Jim had the courage to talk to her, once at a local swimming pool in Holden, WV when Jim was 15 years old and once in General Business class at Logan County High School. Jim will be quick to tell you it was love at first sight at the swimming pool. On the night before he deployed with the US Army to Germany, Jim went to a local, family-owned donut shop with his friend. There he saw Wilda working behind the counter; it was her family who owned that donut shop.
Wilda wrote to Jim for three years while he was deployed. During that time, her family had moved to Chicago, IL. While on a visit back to WV in 1960, Wilda connected with Jim again and they went on their first date. Later, they both worked at Bell and Howell Camera Company in Chicago with Jim eventually beginning work as a Chicago city bus driver.
Wilda and Jim were married in 1961 and welcomed their twin sons, Daren and Allen, in 1962. The family eventually settled in Dunbar, WV. While Jim traveled as a Greyhound bus driver, Wilda held down the home-front and dedicated herself to her twins. She was even known to put on a baseball glove and teach her sons to throw and catch. When her boys were older, Wilda worked at Riverwalk Kroger for 10 years.
Wilda’s twin boys became police officers and brought her beloved daughters-in-law, grandchildren, and great grandchildren into her life. After retirement, Wilda and Jim enjoyed their family, being active members at Cross Lanes Baptist Church, and camping at Summersville Lake. Wilda was known for her famous Christmas ham, angel food cake, and her favorite red jacket. She leaves behind a legacy of love and gentle kindness, wonderful memories, and funny “Maw Maw Wilda” stories which will be passed on for generations.
She is survived by her devoted husband, Jim McNeil; sons Daren McNeil (Judy) of Kenova and Allen McNeil (Teresa) of St. Albans; sister Barbara Browning of Roanoke, VA; brothers Bobby Russell and Charles Russell of New Braunfels, TX; grandchildren Aaron McNeil (Francis), Ashley McNeil, Nathan McNeil (Alex), Travis McNeil, and Madison McNeil; and great-grandchildren Lucie, Luke, Lane, and Blake McNeil. She is also survived by sisters-in-law Becky Souliere (Jim) and Debbie Bailey (Jerry) and many beloved nieces and nephews, including special niece and nephew Bonnie Dardi and John Dardi.
Wilda was preceded in death by her parents and Mama Deal; her father- and mother-in-law Gus and Carrie McNeil; sisters Gloria Lilly and Wanda Dardi; brother James Russell; and brother- and sister in-law Gary McNeil and Judy Compton.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at Cross Lanes Baptist Church, officiated by Dr. Seth N. Polk. Burial will follow at Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens, Cross Lanes.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, from 10 to 11 a.m., at the church.
The McNeil family would like to express their gratitude to the staff and residents at The Village at Riverview in Barboursville and to Hospice of Huntington for their compassionate care.
Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.timeformemory.com/wallace.
