Merle Elizabeth McLeod (King) Neill

Merle Elizabeth McLeod (King) Neill died September 20, 2017. She was the first born of Clyde Russell McLeod and Myrtle Hooper McLeod, April 12, 1927 in San Angelo, Texas (1600 E. Harris Ave). She graduated San Angelo High School in 1944 attended and San Angelo Junior College. She was married to John Hugh King, II on March 2, 1947 in San Angelo, Texas. To this union a daughter, Debra Gayle King, was born. She and Mr. King were engaged in the newspaper business, publishing the Robert Lee Observer and Slaton Slatonite. Merle was employed as a distribution office clerk with Pioneer Natural Gas Co., later Energas, in Slaton, retiring in 1986 with twenty-two years' service. She married Seth Moore Neill, March 5, 1977, at the First Presbyterian Church in Slaton. Seth preceded her in death, August 23, 1995. Merle was an active member of the first Presbyterian Church at Slaton for more than thirty years, serving as a deacon. When the Slaton Church closed in 1995, she became a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Lubbock. After moving to Bossier City, Louisiana, to be near her daughter and son-in-law, she was a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church. While in Slaton Merle was a member of the Junior Civic and Culture Club, member and past president of Daughters of the Pioneer Study Club and remained as associate member. She was a life member and formerly on the board of directors of the Slaton Railroad Heritage Association, a member of Lubbock's Red Hat Society and Red River Hatters of Shreveport. She loved West Texas with a fierce and outspoken allegiance, and never tired of singing its praises to out of staters. She had a deep appreciation for Panhandle sunsets and the Cap Rock. She loved reading, photography, both creative writing and corresponding with friends around the globe. She was preceded in death by her husband, Seth Neill and stepdaughter, Vicki Neill. Merle is survived by her brother, Don McLeod; daughter, Debbie Fowler (Joe); three stepchildren, Patty Jacobs (Jake), Terry Webb (Ralph), Mark Neill (Nancy); grandchildren, Jeff Fowler (Kerri), Steve Fowler (Julie), Allyson Fowler Lawrence, and great grandchildren, Bryce Fowler, Jonathon Fowler, Kendall Fowler, Jacob Fowler, Jadyn Lawrence, Kelton Fowler, Kaitlyn Lawrence, Brayden Posey and Caleb Posey. A visitation at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Bossier City, Louisiana will be Saturday, September 23, 2017 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. A graveside service and Witness to the Resurrection will be at Englewood Cemetery in Slaton, Texas under the direction of Englund Funeral Service. The family suggests memorials may be made to the Harvey House of Slaton or Meals on Wheels of Slaton.