Dr. George Henry McNeely

Rev. Dr. George Henry McNeely 64, of Charlotte, NC . passed Friday January 5, 2018.at his residence. Funeral service will be held Wednesday  January 10, 2018 at St. Stephen`s AME Zion Church 201 W. Franklin Blvd. Gastonia, NC 28052. Visitation will begin at 11:00 am and the service will follow at 12:00 pm. Entombment will be in York Memorial Park Cemetery.

  George Henry McNeely

Dr. George Henry McNeely was born, January 11, 1953 to the late John Henry Henderson and the late Majorie McNeely Thompson.  George was educated in the Public School System of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.   Dr. McNeely earned a Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies from Livingstone College, Salisbury, North Carolina.  He received a Masters of Divinity from Hood Theological Seminary, Salisbury, North Carolina.  Further studies include a Masters in Sacred Theology and a Doctorate of Ministry from Drew University, Madison, New Jersey.  Later, he earned a Degree in Psychology from Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey.  Dr. McNeely received a Pastoral Education Certificate from Wake Forrest and Baptist Hospitals in Winston Salem, North Carolina.

Dr. McNeely worked in the financial and banking industry in Cinnimson and West Patterson, New Jersey for 10 years.  He was an instructor at Livingstone College and Hood Theological Seminary.  While employed at Hood Theological Seminary, he served as Interim Chair of the Department of Church History and Director of the Certificate in Christian Ministry Program.

Dr. McNeely received and accepted his calling into Christian Ministry at the age of 16.  He received his Christian nurture at the Torrence Chapel AME Zion Church, Cornelius, North Carolina.  His pastorates span over 45 years including: Mt. Olin, Statesville, NC; Steele Creek Charlotte, NC; Wesley A. M. E. Zion Church, Burlington, NJ; Soldiers Memorial A. M. E. Zion Church, Salisbury, NC; and Greenville Memorial A. M. E. Zion Church, Charlotte, NC.

He served as a Presiding Elder in the Western North Carolina Conference for the past 16 years.  He served 5 years on the Charlotte District and 11 ½ years on the Lincolnton District.  At the time of his death, Dr. McNeely was serving as the Senior Presiding Elder in the Piedmont Episcopal Area under The Right Reverend George E. Battle, Jr., Senior Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church.

Dr. McNeely’s community affiliations include involvement in the NAACP, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and the Homeless Shelter for Males in Salisbury, North Carolina.  Dr. McNeely was a volunteer chaplain for the Rowan County Sherriff’s Department, Salisbury, North Carolina.   He was also a wrestling official for the North Carolina High School Athletic Association.  In addition, he served on the Board of Directors of Rowan County Hospice as well as the Mecklenburg County Senior Citizens Hot Lunch Program.  Dr. McNeely authored two books, Christian Doctrine & Identity (2011 & 2013) and The History of Camp Dorothy Walls Conference & Retreat Center (2013).  He has written articles for “The Quarterly Review” –‘Pastoral Care and Terminal Illness’ (1991, The Black Preacher and the Biblical Judges: Part I and II, and ‘Apostolic Succession of in the Methodist Church’ (2010).  His most recent accolade was the induction into the United Negro College Hall of Fame of his Alma Mater, Livingstone College in February 2017.  Dr. McNeely was known for his caring and giving spirit and the nurture and mentoring of pastors in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church.

He leaves to cherish his fond memories his loving and devoted wife Mary Hicklin McNeely. His step-daughter Aethrea Seanne Jones of Rock Hill, South Carolina.  Step Mother Edith Henderson Gabriel.  Six sisters; Sharon Thompson Ingram (Eric) of Charlotte, North Carolina, Wanda Thompson Alexander (Ephriam), and Karen Thompson Potts (Nate) both of Cornelius North Carolina and Renee’ Thompson (Scott) of Charlotte, North Carolina Kendra Henderson Freeman (Phillip) of Bronx, New York, Nerissa Henderson Strong (Robert) Orlando, Florida.  Seven brothers; Thomas Berry (Desi) of Davidson,  North Carolina, Melvin McNeely, and Curtis Thompson (Freda), both of Cornelius, North Carolina, Donald McNeely, Willie “Pete” Thompson and Neal Thompson (Debbie) all of Charlotte, North Carolina and Johnny Ray Henderson (Leander) of North Charleston, South Carolina.    Five Sister in laws, Ruth Massey Barber, Geraldine Sanders, Rosa B. Blake, Margie Hicklin all of Rock Hill, South Carolina, Thelma Cotton of Georgetown, South Carolina.  Three Brother in laws; George Hicklin Jr.  (Barbara) of San Diego, California,  Chris Hicklin (Ingrid) of Woodbridge Virginia, and Jakie Hicklin of Rock Hill, South Carolina.  Uncles Rev. Wardell Henderson (Myrtle) of Concord, North Carolina, and Donald Henderson of Huntersville, North Carolina, and George Henderson (Annie) his Aunt Mildred Henderson Hawkins of Brandywine, Maryland. In lieu of flowers, the family request that contributions be made to St. Stephen AME Zion Church Building Fund, located at 201 West Franklin Blvd, Gastonia, NC 28052, in memory of Dr. McNeely; all other correspondence should be sent to 4005 Fifendrum Dr., Charlotte, NC 28216.