Nine Generations

Louis Hockstein

Male, #4226, Deceased, b. 1904, d. 10 August 1994



Parents

Father*Nathan Hockstein (1865-1961)
Mother*Anna Hockstein (1865-1940)

Family: Florence Cutler (1907-1997)

Son*David E. Hockstein (1929-1966)
Daughter*Evelyn Hockstein + (1934-2013)

RelationshipsGrandfather of Ellen Jane Bass


Biographical Details

1904BirthLouis Hockstein was born in 1904 in Pennsylvania.
1929Birth of ChildHis son, David E. Hockstein, was born in 1929 in Pennsylvania.
1934Birth of ChildHis daughter, Evelyn Hockstein, was born on 30 May 1934 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
1940OccupationIn 1940 Louis Hockstein was a dentist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.1
1940Death of ParentHis mother, Anna Hockstein, died on 5 March 1940.
1961Death of ParentHis father, Nathan Hockstein, died on 30 March 1961 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
1966Death of ChildHis son, David E. Hockstein, died in 1966.
1994DeathLouis Hockstein died on 10 August 1994 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
1997Death of PartnerHis partner, Florence Cutler, died on 24 December 1997 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Citations

  1. 1940 Federal Census, Record originated in..., Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Roll: T627_3691; Page: 3B; Enumeration District: 51-135 (Louis Hockstein family)
Last Edited3 April 2023 05:56:11

Florence Cutler

Female, #4227, Deceased, b. 25 October 1907, d. 24 December 1997



Family: Louis Hockstein (1904-1994)

Son*David E. Hockstein (1929-1966)
Daughter*Evelyn Hockstein + (1934-2013)

RelationshipsGrandmother of Ellen Jane Bass


Biographical Details

1907BirthFlorence Cutler was born on 25 October 1907 in Pennsylvania.
1929Birth of ChildHer son, David E. Hockstein, was born in 1929 in Pennsylvania.
1934Birth of ChildHer daughter, Evelyn Hockstein, was born on 30 May 1934 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
1966Death of ChildHer son, David E. Hockstein, died in 1966.
1994Death of PartnerHer partner, Louis Hockstein, died on 10 August 1994 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
1997DeathFlorence Cutler died on 24 December 1997 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Last Edited3 April 2023 05:56:11

David E. Hockstein

Male, #4228, Deceased, b. 1929, d. 1966



Parents

Father*Louis Hockstein (1904-1994)
Mother*Florence Cutler (1907-1997)

RelationshipsUncle of Ellen Jane Bass


Biographical Details

1929BirthDavid E. Hockstein was born in 1929 in Pennsylvania.
1966DeathHe died in 1966.
1994Death of ParentHis father, Louis Hockstein, died on 10 August 1994 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
1997Death of ParentHis mother, Florence Cutler, died on 24 December 1997 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Last Edited23 February 2023 09:37:51

Nathan Hockstein

Nathan Hockstein
Male, #4229, Deceased, b. 1865, d. 30 March 1961



Parents

Father*Moshe Yoneh Shepsenwohl (about 1805-after 1885)

Family: Anna Hockstein (1865-1940)

Son*Louis Hockstein + (1904-1994)

RelationshipsGreat-grandfather of Ellen Jane Bass


Biographical Details

1865BirthNathan Hockstein was born in 1865 in Radoshkovich, Belarus.
1884Marr-PartnersHe married Anna Hockstein in 1884.
After 1885Death of ParentHis father, Moshe Yoneh Shepsenwohl, died after 1885 in Poland.
OccupationNathan Hockstein was a retail shoe merchant.
1904Birth of ChildHis son, Louis Hockstein, was born in 1904 in Pennsylvania.
1940Death of SpouseHis wife, Anna Hockstein, died on 5 March 1940.
1961DeathNathan Hockstein died of congestive heart failure on 30 March 1961 at Wynnebrook Nursing Home in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.1
About 1961BurialHe was buried about 31 March 1961 in Mt. Lebanon Cemetery in Collingdale, Delaware County, Pennsylvania.1

Citations

  1. Death Certificate, Pennsylvania (State). Death certificates, 1906–1966; Certificate Number 027838-61; accessed 2/4/18 on Ancestry.com
Last Edited3 April 2023 05:56:11

Anna Hockstein

Anna Hockstein
Female, #4230, Deceased, b. 1865, d. 5 March 1940



Family: Nathan Hockstein (1865-1961)

Son*Louis Hockstein + (1904-1994)

RelationshipsGreat-grandmother of Ellen Jane Bass


Biographical Details

1865BirthAnna Hockstein was born in 1865 in Russia.
1884Marr-PartnersShe married Nathan Hockstein in 1884.
1904Birth of ChildHer son, Louis Hockstein, was born in 1904 in Pennsylvania.
1940DeathShe died on 5 March 1940.
About 1940BurialShe was buried about 6 March 1940 in Cleveland, Ohio.
1961Death of SpouseHer husband, Nathan Hockstein, died on 30 March 1961 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Last Edited3 April 2023 09:44:15

Moshe Yoneh Shepsenwohl

Male, #4231, Deceased, b. about 1805, d. after 1885



Family:

Son*Nathan Hockstein + (1865-1961)

Relationships2nd great-grandfather of Ellen Jane Bass


Biographical Details

About 1805BirthMoshe Yoneh Shepsenwohl was born about 1805 in Bavaria, Germany.
1865Birth of ChildHis son, Nathan Hockstein, was born in 1865 in Radoshkovich, Belarus.
After 1885DeathMoshe Yoneh Shepsenwohl died after 1885 in Poland.
Last Edited23 February 2023 09:37:51

Derek J. Appelt

Male, #4232, Living





Charts and other referencesJudka Bassevitch Descendancy Chart

Last Edited23 February 2023 09:37:51

John Vinski

Male, #4234, Deceased, b. 1910, d. 20 March 2005



Family: Mary Mistrick (1911-1995)

Daughter*Eileen M. Vinski +



Biographical Details

1910BirthJohn Vinski was born in 1910 in Pennsylvania.1,2
1937Marr-PartnersHe married Mary Mistrick on 26 May 1937 at St. Mary Roman Catholic Church in Sharpsburg, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.3
1945Birth of ChildHis daughter, Eileen M. Vinski, was born on 19 April 1945 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
1950Residence (family)He and Mary Mistrick lived at 175 Washington Street in Etna, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania on 6 April 1950.4
1987Residence (family)He and Mary Mistrick lived in Shaler Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania on 8 July 1987.3
1995Death of SpouseHis wife, Mary Mistrick, died on 26 February 1995 in Shaler Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
2005DeathHe died of cancer on 20 March 2005 in Etna, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.1,5

Citations

  1. Ancestry.com. U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930 - 2015 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006.
  2. Year: 1930; Place: Etna, Allegheny, Pennsylvania; Roll: 1963; Page: 4A; Enumeration District: 0596; Image: 853.0; FHL microfilm: 2341697 (John Vinski)
  3. "," The Pittsburgh Press, ; news.google.com (https://news.google.com/newspapers : accessed )., Golden Weddings; 8 July 1987; Anniversary celebration; 7 February 2016
  4. 1950 Fed'l Census, Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790-2007; Record Group Number: 29; Residence Date: 1950; Home in 1950: Etna, Allegheny, Pennsylvania; Roll: 660; Sheet Number: 73; Enumeration District: 2-310
  5. Vinski, John obituary, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Obituary; 22 March 2005; 7 February 2016
Last Edited23 February 2023 09:37:51

Mary Mistrick1

Female, #4235, Deceased, b. 30 November 1911, d. 26 February 1995



Family: John Vinski (1910-2005)

Daughter*Eileen M. Vinski +



Biographical Details

1911BirthMary Mistrick was born on 30 November 1911 in Etna, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.2
1937Marr-PartnersShe married John Vinski on 26 May 1937 at St. Mary Roman Catholic Church in Sharpsburg, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.3
1945Birth of ChildHer daughter, Eileen M. Vinski, was born on 19 April 1945 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
1950OccupationIn April 1950 Mary Mistrick was a service repair manager.1
1950Residence (family)John Vinski and she lived at 175 Washington Street in Etna, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania on 6 April 1950.1
1987Residence (family)John Vinski and she lived in Shaler Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania on 8 July 1987.3
1995DeathShe died on 26 February 1995 in Shaler Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
2005Death of SpouseHer husband, John Vinski, died on 20 March 2005 in Etna, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.

Citations

  1. 1950 Fed'l Census, Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790-2007; Record Group Number: 29; Residence Date: 1950; Home in 1950: Etna, Allegheny, Pennsylvania; Roll: 660; Sheet Number: 73; Enumeration District: 2-310
  2. Ancestry.com. U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015.
  3. "," The Pittsburgh Press, ; news.google.com (https://news.google.com/newspapers : accessed )., Golden Weddings; 8 July 1987; Anniversary celebration; 7 February 2016
Last Edited23 February 2023 09:37:51

Inez Littlejohn

Female, #4236, Deceased, b. 2 December 1898, d. 14 January 1979



Parents

Father*Alfred Littlejohn (1859-1918)
Mother*Elizabeth A. Williams (1868-1942)

Family: Samuel Preston Cook (1876-1944)

Son*Virgil R. Cook (1916-1996)
Son*Al P. Cook (1919-1944)
Son*Jack D. Cook (1923-2008)
Daughter*Ruby Alice Cook + (1928-2007)
Son*Sammie Cook (1933-2006)

RelationshipsGreat-grandmother of Joshua David McNeil


Biographical Details

MarriedInez Littlejohn was also known as Inez Cook.1
1898BirthShe was born on 2 December 1898 in Trigg County, Kentucky.2
1915Marr-PartnersShe married Samuel Preston Cook on 29 May 1915 in Stewart County, Tennessee.1
1916Birth of ChildHer son, Virgil R. Cook, was born in 1916.
1918Death of ParentHer father, Alfred Littlejohn, died on 11 October 1918 in Stewart County, Tennessee.
1919Birth of ChildHer son, Al P. Cook, was born on 26 November 1919 in Stewart County, Tennessee.
1923Birth of ChildHer son, Jack D. Cook, was born in 1923.
1928Birth of ChildHer daughter, Ruby Alice Cook, was born on 9 April 1928 in Dover, Stewart County, Tennessee.
1933Birth of ChildHer son, Sammie Cook, was born in 1933.
1942Death of ParentHer mother, Elizabeth A. Williams, died on 29 June 1942 in Stewart County, Tennessee.
1944Death of ChildHer son, Al P. Cook, died on 6 February 1944 in Italy.
1944Death of SpouseHer husband, Samuel Preston Cook, died on 11 December 1944 in Stewart County, Tennessee.
1979DeathInez Littlejohn died on 14 January 1979 in Dover, Stewart County, Tennessee.2
About 1979BurialShe was buried about 15 January 1979 in Moore Cemetery in Stewart County, Tennessee.3

Citations

  1. Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002. Nashville, TN, USA: Tennessee State Library and Archives. Microfilm., Cert. # 49, Stewart County
  2. Find A Grave database, Online: http://www.findagrave.com, Memorial #35192172
  3. Find A Grave database, Online: http://www.findagrave.com, Memorial# 35192172
Last Edited23 February 2023 09:37:51

Alfred Littlejohn

Male, #4237, Deceased, b. 7 June 1859, d. 11 October 1918



Parents

Father*Valentine Littlejohn (1814-)
Mother*Mary Ann McGarvey (1822-1875)
FatherValentine J. Littlejohn (1815-)
MotherMary Ann McGarvey (1821-)

Family: Elizabeth A. Williams (1868-1942)

Daughter*Irene Littlejohn (1894-1916)
Daughter*Inez Littlejohn + (1898-1979)
Son*Henry Littlejohn (1907-1911)
Daughter*Mattie Littlejohn (1910-1910)

Relationships2nd great-grandfather of Joshua David McNeil


Biographical Details

1859BirthAlfred Littlejohn was born on 7 June 1859 in Vinton County, Ohio.1,2,3
1870Residence (family)He lived with Valentine J. Littlejohn and Mary Ann McGarvey in Lyon County, Kentucky on 22 June 1870. In addition to Alfred, three other Littlejohn children were in the household.4
1875Death of ParentHis mother, Mary Ann McGarvey, died in 1875 in Golden Pond, Kentucky.
1880OccupationOn 9 June 1880 Alfred Littlejohn was a sawmill worker in Canton, Trigg County, Kentucky.5
1880ResidenceHe was an adult child at the residence of Mary Ann McGarvey on 9 June 1880 in Canton, Trigg County, Kentucky.5
1884Marr-PartnersHe married Elizabeth A. Williams on 25 December 1884 in Trigg County, Kentucky.6,7
1894Birth of ChildHis daughter, Irene Littlejohn, was born in 1894.
1898Birth of ChildHis daughter, Inez Littlejohn, was born on 2 December 1898 in Trigg County, Kentucky.
1907Birth of ChildHis son, Henry Littlejohn, was born in 1907.
1910Birth of ChildHis daughter, Mattie Littlejohn, was born in 1910.
1910Death of ChildHis daughter, Mattie Littlejohn, died in 1910.
1911Death of ChildHis son, Henry Littlejohn, died in 1911.
1916Death of ChildHis daughter, Irene Littlejohn, died in 1916.
1918DeathAlfred Littlejohn died on 11 October 1918 in Stewart County, Tennessee.1
About 1918BurialHe was buried about 12 October 1918 in Ham Cemetery in Stewart County, Tennessee.1
1942Death of SpouseHis wife, Elizabeth A. Williams, died on 29 June 1942 in Stewart County, Tennessee.

Citations

  1. Find A Grave database, Online: http://www.findagrave.com, Memorial #29872093
  2. "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MGFJ-68F : accessed 28 September 2020), Alford Littlejohn, Civil District 6, Stewart, Tennessee, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 172, sheet 4A, family 76, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 1522; FHL microfilm 1,375,535.
  3. "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M9CS-5VJ : accessed 28 September 2020), Alfred Littlejohn, Magisterial District 2, Trigg, Kentucky, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 79, sheet 15B, family 272, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,240,552.
  4. 1870 Federal Census, Dist 2, Lyon County, Kentucky, Date: 22 JUN 1870
  5. 1880 Federal Census, Canton, Trigg County, Kentucky, Date: 9 JUN 1880
  6. Find A Grave database, Online: http://www.findagrave.com, Memorial #35192282
  7. Ancestry.com Public Family Trees, Barb and Bill Sumner;s Family Tree
Last Edited14 July 2024 13:36:51

Elizabeth A. Williams

Female, #4238, Deceased, b. 8 October 1868, d. 29 June 1942



Parents

Family 1: William Charles Brooks (1863-1944)

Family 2: Alfred Littlejohn (1859-1918)

Daughter*Irene Littlejohn (1894-1916)
Daughter*Inez Littlejohn + (1898-1979)
Son*Henry Littlejohn (1907-1911)
Daughter*Mattie Littlejohn (1910-1910)

Relationships2nd great-grandmother of Joshua David McNeil


Biographical Details

MarriedElizabeth A. Williams was also known as Elizabeth A. Littlejohn.1
Marr-PartnersShe married William Charles Brooks.2
1868BirthShe was born on 8 October 1868 in Trigg County, Kentucky.1
1884Marr-PartnersShe married Alfred Littlejohn on 25 December 1884 in Trigg County, Kentucky.1,3
1894Birth of ChildHer daughter, Irene Littlejohn, was born in 1894.
1898Birth of ChildHer daughter, Inez Littlejohn, was born on 2 December 1898 in Trigg County, Kentucky.
1907Birth of ChildHer son, Henry Littlejohn, was born in 1907.
1910Birth of ChildHer daughter, Mattie Littlejohn, was born in 1910.
1910Death of ChildHer daughter, Mattie Littlejohn, died in 1910.
1911Death of ChildHer son, Henry Littlejohn, died in 1911.
1916Death of ChildHer daughter, Irene Littlejohn, died in 1916.
1918Death of SpouseHer husband, Alfred Littlejohn, died on 11 October 1918 in Stewart County, Tennessee.
1942DeathElizabeth A. Williams died on 29 June 1942 in Stewart County, Tennessee.1
About 1942BurialShe was buried about 30 June 1942 in Moore Cemetery in Stewart County, Tennessee.1
1944Death of SpouseHer husband, William Charles Brooks, died on 19 March 1944 in Erin, Houston County, Tennessee.

Citations

  1. Find A Grave database, Online: http://www.findagrave.com, Memorial #35192282
  2. Find A Grave database, Online: http://www.findagrave.com, Memorial #120860939
  3. Ancestry.com Public Family Trees, Barb and Bill Sumner;s Family Tree
Last Edited23 February 2023 09:37:51

Byron Hall McNeil

Male, #4239, Deceased, b. 10 May 1913, d. 1 May 1992



Parents

Father*Claud Neil McNiel (1889-1967)
Mother*Katie Garrison (1892-1966)

RelationshipsGrandfather of Joshua David McNeil


Biographical Details

1913BirthByron Hall McNeil was born on 10 May 1913 in Rockdale, Hopkins County, Texas.1
1920Residence (family)He was a grandchild in the home of Bowden Hall Garrison and Ida Virginia Roberts on 2 January 1920 at Lower Douglass Road in Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches County, Texas, on 2 January 1920.2
1941Marr-PartnersByron Hall McNeil married Priscilla Elizabeth Modisette on 25 December 1941.3,4
1944Birth of ChildHis daughter, Judy Elizabeth McNeil, was born on 18 February 1944 in Texas.
1947Birth of ChildHis son, Larry Byron McNeil, was born on 9 November 1947 in Lufkin, Angelina County, Texas.
1966Death of ParentHis mother, Katie Garrison, died on 24 November 1966 in Lufkin, Angelina County, Texas.
1967Death of ParentHis father, Claud Neil McNiel, died on 24 December 1967 in Waco, McLennan County, Texas.
1992DeathByron Hall McNeil died on 1 May 1992 in Lufkin, Angelina County, Texas.1
About 1992BurialHe was buried about 3 May 1992 in Garden of Memories Cemetery in Lufkin, Angelina County, Texas. Burial plot: Crestview.1
2010ObituaryHis obituary appeared on 28 October 2010.

Memorial services for Byron H. McNeil, former Lufkin City Commissioner and long time community leader were held in the Gipson Funeral Home Chapel with burial in the Garden of Memories Memorial Park.

Mr. McNeil was the son of Claude McNeil and Katie Garrison Popp. Along with his grandparents, Bowden and Ida Garrison, he came to East Texas in a railroad boxcar when he was five years old, his family wanting to take advantage of the rich East Texas agricultural land. As a youth, he grew up in Nacogdoches, graduating from Nacogdoches High School in 1932. He served 3 l/2 years in the U.S. Army as staff sergeant. After the war he returned to Lufkin and along with his wife, Priscilla Elizabeth McNeil, build a house at 306 Pershing Avenue where he resided until his death.

Mr. McNeil served as a Lufkin city commissioner for five years, elected to two terms. While he was a commissioner the Commission constructed the Dozier Street underpass, build a new sewage treatment plant, and the City Hall fire station. He was one of the first public officials to attempt to bridge the gap between the white and black communities, running on a platform in 1970 of being for "all of Lufkin regardless of race, creed or color."

He had a long business and civic career in Angelina Co. He was 30 years in the clothing business, working at Abrams Dept. Store, Hemphill-Wells and Clark-Ayers. For seven years, he owned and operated Oaks Man's Wear on Main St. For 16 years he was an administrator of local nursing homes. He was also a teacher and supervisor at Piney Wood Business College. He was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church where he served as chairman of the Board of Usher, as superintendent of Dept. 5 Sunday School and as a teacher of the Fellowship Sunday School Class. Among his many civic activities, he was secretary of the Lions Club, first vice president of the Chamber of Commerce, secretary of the Lufkin Homebuilders Assn and a member and officer of the Knights of Pythias.

Survivors: wife of 50 years, Elizabeth McNeil; brother, Medford McNeil; daughter, Judy McNeil;son, Larry McNeil; son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Ann McNeil; daughter and son-in-law, Mary Jayne and Joe Pumphrey; 7 grandchildren, Greg and Jill Phelps, Joshua and Rebekah McNeil, Sam and Ben McNeil and Kate Pumphrey, numerous nieces and nephews.5

2013Death of SpouseHis wife, Priscilla Elizabeth Modisette, died on 4 May 2013 in Dallas, Dallas County, Texas.

Citations

  1. Find A Grave database, Online: http://www.findagrave.com, Ancestry.com. U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012. Memorial #60753332
  2. 1920 Federal Census, Place: Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches, Texas; Roll: T625_1835; Page: 1A; Enumeration District: 122; Image: 669. Bowden Garrison household
  3. Susanna Greenberg, McNeil/Stubblefield, per Susanna; Recipient: RCJ, 7 February 2016, Date: 7 FEB 2016
  4. Find A Grave database, Online: http://www.findagrave.com, Ancestry.com. U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012. Memorial #110104453
  5. Find A Grave database, Online: http://www.findagrave.com, Memorial #60753332
Last Edited23 February 2023 09:37:51

Priscilla Elizabeth Modisette

Priscilla Modisette McNeil
Female, #4240, Deceased, b. 29 August 1920, d. 4 May 2013



Parents

Father*David Hampton Modisette (1891-1971)
Mother*Augusta Dell Hawkins (1893-1983)

RelationshipsGrandmother of Joshua David McNeil


Biographical Details

MarriedPriscilla Elizabeth Modisette was also known as Priscilla Elizabeth McNeil.1
1920BirthShe was born on 29 August 1920 in Lala Hill Community, Angelina County, Texas.2
1941Marr-PartnersShe married Byron Hall McNeil on 25 December 1941.3,2
OccupationPriscilla Elizabeth Modisette was a public school teacher in Lufkin, Angelina County, Texas. She retired after 38 years of service.4
1944Birth of ChildHer daughter, Judy Elizabeth McNeil, was born on 18 February 1944 in Texas.
1947Birth of ChildHer son, Larry Byron McNeil, was born on 9 November 1947 in Lufkin, Angelina County, Texas.
1971Death of ParentHer father, David Hampton Modisette, died on 26 October 1971 in Lufkin, Angelina County, Texas.
1983Death of ParentHer mother, Augusta Dell Hawkins, died in October 1983 in Lufkin, Angelina County, Texas.
1992Death of SpouseHer husband, Byron Hall McNeil, died on 1 May 1992 in Lufkin, Angelina County, Texas.
2013DeathPriscilla Elizabeth Modisette died on 4 May 2013 in Dallas, Dallas County, Texas.2
2013BurialShe was buried on 4 May 2013 in Garden of Memories Cemetery in Lufkin, Angelina County, Texas.2
ObituaryHer obituary appeared in the Find A Grave database.

Priscilla Elizabeth Modisette McNeil, 92, passed away Saturday, May 4, 2013 in Dallas Texas. A public school teacher in Angelina County for over thirty years, Elizabeth taught thousands of students the joy of reading and encouraged many to take up the teaching career. She and her husband, Byron McNeil, reared many family members, including their children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other relatives. She was a member of Lufkin's First Baptist Church for over 70 years, and a member of Wilshire Baptist Church, Dallas, since 2009.

Services will be held at The Chapel of Lufkin's First Baptist Church.

Elizabeth was born August 29, 1920 in the home of her parents, Augusta (Hawkins) and David Hampton Modisette in the Lala Hill Community of southern Angelina County. She was the third of four sisters, and had one brother.

Her family moved to Huntington during the Depression and she later attended Huntington High School and played basketball for the Red Devilettes. Her parents later moved to Lufkin where she graduated from Lufkin High School. In 1938, she enrolled in college at Stephen F. Austin State Teachers' College in Nacogdoches, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in August 1941. She earned her Master of Education degree from SFA State College in August 1956. Her love of teaching was inspired by her father, Dave Modisette, a pioneer Angelina County educator, and by the academic discipline of teaching young people to appreciate a story and having the desire to read. On Christmas Day, 1941, less than three weeks after Pearl Harbor, she married Byron McNeil whom she had met at Abrams clothing store where he worked; they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1991. While Mac went to the Army, Elizabeth began her first teaching job in Central. During the war, she moved to Mineral Wells where Mac was stationed. After the war, Lib and Mac moved to Lufkin and built their home on Pershing Avenue. She continued her teaching career in Lufkin, serving in various elementary schools, including Central and Slack. She retired after 38 years of service. Her most proud professional accomplishment was the development of individualized reading instruction that focused on unlocking the reading zeal of each student. Despite some opposition from District administrators, her success became recognized and a model for other reading teachers. She was equally proud of her family who became teachers, including Sharon Stracener and Jill Haltom.

Alongside her professional career, Elizabeth devoted herself to rearing her children, grandchildren and other family members. She taught a love of learning and the importance of gaining your college education, and she instilled a practical and positive Christianity that believed in both respect of all people and the confidence that you were a child of God. She also loved to play dominoes, and won the forty-two adult championship one year at First Baptist Church. She spent many joyous times playing dominoes with her family and friends, including a game on her 92nd birthday. In 2001, she moved to Dallas to be close to her daughter, Mary Jayne McNeil, and her family. In 2011, she moved to Sunrise at Hillcrest, where she lived until she passed. Her caregivers remarked that she brought them kindness and mercy, and they loved her sweetness and good nature.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Byron McNeil; sisters, Ruby Hicks and Dennie Culbertson; brother, Van Modisette; and great-grandson, Camden Haltom.

Survivors include: Sister, Bernice Maberry; Children, Judy McNeil; Larry McNeil and Anne Bartley; Gary and Ann McNeil; and Mary Jayne McNeil. Grandchildren: Greg and Josie Phelps; Jill and James Haltom; Joshua McNeil; Rebekah and Mandy McNeil; Cybele Cirie; Amanda Schaer; Andrea Cirie; Sam McNeil; Ben McNeil; Kate Pumphrey; and William Pumphrey; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.4

Citations

  1. Susanna Greenberg, McNeil/Stubblefield, per Susanna; Recipient: RCJ, 7 February 2016
  2. Find A Grave database, Online: http://www.findagrave.com, Ancestry.com. U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012. Memorial #110104453
  3. Susanna Greenberg, McNeil/Stubblefield, per Susanna; Recipient: RCJ, 7 February 2016, Date: 7 FEB 2016
  4. Find A Grave database, Online: http://www.findagrave.com, Memorial #110104453
Last Edited23 February 2023 09:37:51