Dorris Withers McNeal, 98, born Oct. 29, 1919, left us from her bed by the bay Friday, July 6, 2018. Born Dorris Emmie Withers, she was the third child of Phoebe and John Thornton Withers.
She grew up in Suffolk, attended Suffolk High School and finished her studies at Mary Baldwin College, where she discovered the game of golf, a lifelong passion. She married H.P. “Sonny” McNeal in 1943 between his war patrols in the pacific as a submariner. They lived in various locales as they raised their three boys, Joseph “Jojo,” and his wife, Katrina, of Hailey, Idaho, Thornton “Whiz,” and his wife, Beverly, of Ketchum, Idaho, and Phillip “Flip” of Virginia Beach. Numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren followed.
The McNeal family enjoyed a mother and wife in Dorris who was bigger than life. She touched many people outside of her family as well with her outgoing nature and spirit earning her many friends over her 98 years.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, July 18, at Westminster-Canterbury Holy Trinity Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like to ask that donations be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), Hampton Roads Chapter, 291 Independence Blvd., Virginia Beach, VA 32451.
Share online condolences with the family at hdoliver.com.
