Emry McNeil

Emry F. McNeil, age 89, of Gulfport passed away on November 26, 2021, at Hospice of Light.

Emry McNeil was born to Sultana Pugh and John Dan McNeil, Sr. February 8, 1932, in Union Parish, Louisiana. He was the youngest of nine siblings and the only surviving member of the McNeil clan.

In addition to his parents and siblings he was preceded in death by his son, Lloyd Michael McNeil and his first wife, Mary Lipscomb McNeil.

He is survived by his wife Marguerite Strong McNeil; daughter, Kelly McNeil Woolbert; 3 grandchildren, Patrick Woolbert (Sharmin) of Shreveport, LA; Tyrrell Woolbert of Shreveport and James Hearne Woolbert of New Braunfels, TX; 3 great-grandchildren of Shreveport; daughter-in-law Dawn McNeil Watson (Danny), sister-in-law Connie Lipscomb (Gus Walchak). He also leaves behind 3 stepchildren, 7 step grandchildren and 2 step great-grandchildren.

Emry served in the U. S. Navy from 1950-1955. It was there that he found his future career in electronics. After returning to civilian life in Hattiesburg, he began his college education at Mississippi Southern College (now University of Southern Mississippi) and graduated from LSU in 1958 with a B.S. Degree in Electrical Engineering. He was immediately hired by Mississippi Power Co. and moved to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Over the next 30 years, he served in various engineering and managerial positions, all in Gulfport or Biloxi. Upon retirement, Emry was elected to the Biloxi City Council and served from 1989-1993. During his lifetime, he enjoyed his affiliations with the Biloxi Kiwanis Club, Biloxi Yacht Club, and Revelers Carnival Association. Fishing and hunting were his passion as well as family history and genealogy.

Services will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church, Gulfport, December 1, 2021. Visitation will begin at 12 noon and the funeral follows at 1 p.m. Pallbearers are: Keith Gauchet, Kenneth Strong, Daniel Watson, James Hearne Woolbert, Michael Woolbert, and Patrick Woolbert. Interment will be at Floral Hills Garden and Mausoleum, 8910 Carl Legett Road, Gulfport, MS 39503. Masks are requested.

Those wishing to honor the life of Emry McNeil may donate to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105, or Trinity United Methodist Church, 5007 Lawson Ave., Gulfport, MS 39507.

Riemann Family Funeral Home, 11280 Three Rivers Road, Gulfport, is serving the family.