Rory F Mcneal (Lansing)

Mr. Rory Flenord McNeal, age 66, was born on February 24, 1952 to Naydean McNeal and Roosevelt Griffin in Mound Bayou, Mississippi. Rory spent his early childhood years in Rosedale, Mississippi and later moved with his family to the southside Chicago (“The Pocket”). The Lord welcomed Rory into His heavenly kingdom on the afternoon of Thursday, October 25, 2018.

Rory attended Paul Revere Elementary School through the 8th grade, Chicago Vocational High School, and received his high school diploma from Dunbar Vocational Evening High School in June 1971. He played basketball as #41 for Chicago Vocational High School and became known throughout Chicago as one of the best high school basketball players in the city. Rory is officially recognized as a Chicago Playground Legend. Rory was recruited to play basketball at Olive-Harvey College before being offered a full basketball scholarship to attend St. Xavier College where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences in 1975.

As a young man, Rory moved to Lansing, Michigan to pursue a career with General Motors. After leaving General Motors, Rory embarked on a second career as the Executive Director of the Black Child and Family Institute. In addition, he dedicated his life to the Lansing community as a youth counselor and educational administrator for the Lansing Public School District, Walter French Academy and Harry Hill Vocational School. As a pillar in the community, he received numerous awards and recognition for his dedication to educating and mentoring young people in Lansing. Rory positively impacted the lives of countless youth and families throughout central Michigan.

Rory leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Lillie Morgan-McNeal of Lansing Michigan and their two daughters Larecia Naydean McNeal (Lorenzo) and Teara Celeste McNeal of Lansing, Michigan. Also cherishing memories of him are his two sons Rory Romance Johnson of Aurora, Illinois and Rahsaan Rory McNeal (Victoria) of Jackson, Mississippi; and his two daughters Kenya Adjora McNeal-Trice (Rodney) of Chapel Hill, North Carolina and Ebony Olivia Lumumba (Chokwe) of Jackson, Mississippi; his sister, August McNeal of Lansing, Michigan; and his special daughter, Trina Simmons of Dallas, Texas; eleven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a host of adoring cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Naydean McNeal, two brothers, Richard McNeal and Frenchie McNeal, and two sisters Olivia Simms and Guinevera McNeal.