Lucille Gay (Hicklin) Neil

Lucille Gay (Hicklin) Neil, age 90, of McDowell, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 at The Springs Nursing and Rehab in Hot Springs.

She was born in McDowell on May 3, 1936, a daughter of the late Rosser Stuart and Twila Lee (Phillips) Hicklin. On January 29, 1953, she married Junior Nelson Neil, who preceded her in death on April 30, 1990.

Lucille was a devoted member of the McDowell Presbyterian Church and was raised in the former Clover Creek Presbyterian Church. Faith was central in her life; she read her Daily Bread devotional every morning and enjoyed listening to John Hagee sermons on the television. Truly, Lucille lived her life for Jesus and extended her faith and kindness to all.

Well known for her incredible hands-on skills, she had worked at the Aileen Sewing Factory, Hayfields Poultry House, and multiple furniture restoration companies, including Blanchard Furniture Restoration – she loved restoring old furniture. She was also an exceptional cook, renowned for her apple dumplings and pumpkin rolls during the Christmas season, which were cherished by family, friends, and neighbors alike.

Her community involvement included volunteering her time and talent with the Stonewall Ruritan Club over the Maple Festival, where she would prepare the best sausage gravy, as well as assisting the club at the Highland County Fair

A passionate and skilled gardener, Lucille grew tomato plants from seed, always raised a bountiful garden, generously shared her fresh vegetables with family and friends, and tended to her flowers with care. Amongst her many interests, Lucille loved fishing, playing guitar (as a younger woman), playing bingo, sewing, and working on word search books and puzzles. She enjoyed time spent in the outdoors, feeding birds and sitting on porch watching them, and without question time spent with family. Additionally, she cherished the time spent, and her relationship with, her twin sister, Lucy, sharing long nightly conversations and the mutual support of one another through life’s ups and downs.

Even as her health began to decline and she made her home with her daughter, Lucille continued to share her love and wisdom with those around her -Lucille’s love of family was boundless. In all, Lucille will be fondly remembered for her loving heart, strong faith, as well as, the joy she brought to family and friends through her cooking, gardening, and everyday acts of kindness.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by a son, Leonard “Ham” J. Neil; a brother, Rosser Lee Hicklin; sisters, Martha Jenkins, Gladys Sue Howdyshell, Marie Eisenhower, and her twin sister, Lucy Howdyshell.

She is survived by her daughter, Wanda Roberts and husband, Grady Jr. “Duddie” of Burnsville; son, Danny Neil and wife, Deena of Williamsville; daughter-in-law, Lorie Neil; seven grandchildren, Misty Nelson and husband, Stephen, Jennifer Peters and husband, Jeremy, Scottie Neil and wife, Laci, Christina Botkin and husband, Teddy, Nicole Neil, Ashley Neil, and Adam Neil and wife, Kelsey, all of which she had great pride in; seven great grandchildren, Brooke Jones, Cole Nelson, Baylee Peters, Peyton and Trevor Neil, Clayton Smith, and Emmersyn Neil; two great-great grandchildren, Timber and Axtyn Jones; as well as many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Friday, June 12, 2026 at Obaugh Funeral Home, McDowell with pastor David George officiating. Burial will follow in the New Salem Cemetery, located south of McDowell on the Shumate Farm.

Pallbearers will be Stephen Nelson, Luke Jones, Scottie Neil, Jeremy Peters, Adam Neil and Kevin Neil.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home, as well as during a meal of fellowship, which will be held in the McDowell Volunteer Fire Department building following the committal service.

Memorial donations may be made to the McDowell Volunteer Fire Department, c/o Delbert Rexrode, 527 Windrush Lane, Doe Hill, Va. 24433 or to the New Salem Cemetery (Shumate Cemetery), c/o Jeff Shumate, 1018 Maloy Drive, McDowell, Va. 24458