Phillips-Riley Funeral Home | Montgomery, AL

Obituary For Bishop Franklin McNeil

McNeil, Bishop Franklin, a resident of Montgomery, AL, departed this life on January 9, 2024. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 20, 2024 at 11:00AM from True Divine Missionary Baptist Church, (Troy Highway) with a burial following in Greenwood Cemetery.

Bishop Franklin McNeil, TH.B., will lie in state on Friday, January 19, 2024 at Greater Grace Victorious Assembly from 5-7PM ONLY, and at True Divine Missionary Baptist Church on Saturday, January 20, 2024 one hour prior to services.

Bishop Franklin McNeil, TH.B., D.D, was born on June 22nd, 1939, in Monroe County, Alabama to the late Warren Franklin McNeil and the late Elder and Pastor Vernell Mosely-McNeil and passed away peacefully at age 84 on Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at his home in Montgomery, AL, surrounded by his loving family.

Bishop McNeil attended and graduated from Union High School in Purdue Hill, Alabama and received his early education in the Monroe County (Alabama) School System. He later relocated to Pensacola, Florida, where he continued his learning in the areas of Business Education and Industrial Mechanics. He worked as a Mechanical Analyst for two years.

On October 10, 1959, he married Margaret R. Ephraim and to this union was added seven (7) children.

Bishop Franklin McNeil received his call to the gospel at the age of 16, however, wanting to be certain of such an important task, he did not accept until convinced of God at age 22. In the early years of his ministry, Bishop McNeil served as Assistant Pastor of various churches in the State of Florida.

His ministry path changed significantly when he was appointed pastor of Rice Temple A.O.H. Church of God, in Montgomery, Alabama. Bishop McNeil left his job and the home he had been blessed to build for his wife and seven children and moved the family to Montgomery. Bishop McNeil preached souls out of sin and ministered to the flock of Rice Temple for 31 years. Throughout his pastorate at Rice Temple, Bishop McNeil planted or helped to establish various missions and ministries in the State of Alabama. Bishop McNeil also ministered internationally in Nigeria, Peru, Haiti and Chile.

In 2003, Bishop McNeil founded Greater Grace Victorious Assembly in Montgomery, AL. He continued his pastorate for an additional 16 years until he retired in 2019.

Because of his anointed, soul-stirring teaching and preaching, his long-standing ministry in the city of Montgomery, his dedication to the integrity of the Gospel, and his commitment to the personal pursuit of holiness before God, in 2007, Bishop McNeil received a special outpouring of love from apostolic pastors in the Montgomery area and was affectionately named the “Apostolic Father of the Gospel in Montgomery, Alabama.”

Bishop McNeil was a well-rounded individual who hadan interest in not only the church, but community affairs. He was a past member of the E.S.S.A. Advisory Council and held a life-time membership with the N.A.A.C.P.

Additionally, Bishop McNeil received a vast array of degrees and awards, some of which were: Bachelor of Theology, Christian International College, Phoenix, AZ; Doctor of Divinity, Pentecostal Bible College, Tuskegee, AL ; Teacher’s Certificate, Evangelical Teacher Training Association of Illinois; Outstanding Service Award.

Bishop McNeil was preceded in death by his mother, (Vernell Gresham), his father, (Warren FranklinMcNeil); and two sisters, (Bernice Millender, Florence Graham).

Bishop McNeil is survived by his devoted wife, Evangelist Margaret Ree McNeil; seven children:Margie (John) Toney; Vernalisa (Terrence) Bruce; Franklin (Beverly) McNeil, III; Marcia (Roosevelt) Biddles; Stephanie Davis; Aaron (Sybil) McNeil; and Karen (Malcolm) Reynolds; 27 grandchildren and a host of great-grandchildren; two brothers: Stanley (Brenda) McNeil of Mobile, AL, Julius McNeil of Los Angeles, CA; one sister, Patricia Harley of Pensacola, FL; and one beloved cousin, Barry Lee Hixon (aka Sonny Man).

Guest Book

May God bless you all in this time of sorrow. Know that God love you and He will strengthen you. Love, J Young .

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Bishop Franklin McNeil truly will be missed by many a Great man of God 🙏💖 rest in the arms of the Lord

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In Honor of Bishop Franklin Mcneil, I'm at lost for words for such a well lived Christian life well lived in our, community,city,and state. You will not be forgotten. Ms. Letricia

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Rest in peace. Williams, Family Sandy and Hickman, Street Community.

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Words are inadequate to describe the difference you brought to my life any so many others. Thanks for your commitment to God the ministry He called you unto. Mary Sawyer

- Mary Sawyer

Words can not express our deepest gratitude for the life of this apostolic father . He will be greatly missed .

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To the McNeil family with love from Bishop R Crawford and the Bethlehem Temple Church Family

- Bishop R Crawford

Our thoughts and prayers go out to The Family of a great Leader-Bishop Franklin McNeil. He was a Man of Christian Standard-Holiness that impacted my ministry and so many others. He will be greatly missed. May The McNeil Family continue to strengthen in the coming days. God Bless you. (Elder Kenneth Rudolph/House of Refuge NTH Church/Family).

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TO THE ENTIRE FAMILY OF THE LATE BISHOP FRANKLIN MCNEIL OUR SINCERE HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES GOES OUT TO YOU & YOUR FAMILY FOR YOUR GREAT LOSS MAY GOD GIVE YOU ALL THAT STRENGTH LIKE NO OTHER STRENGTH TO ENDURE DOING THIS DIFFICULT TIME! BROTHER & SISTER TOLLIVER!

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Keeping the McNeil and Greater Grace family lifted in prayer. May God continue to keep you in His love. Pastors Henry and Annetta Tate and Fruitful Ground Ministries

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Praying that it brings you much comfort in knowing that for every follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, there comes a time when they will hear God say, "Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things,..." Bishop McNeil's teaching, preaching, and legacy of holiness are a guide for our footsteps to follow. Thinking and praying for your strength in the Lord. Beacon Light Ministries Church Family

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"God Blessings to your family the this time of Loss!!"

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"May the Peace of God Be the Glue to keep your family!"

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May your teachings of Holiness continue to spread throughout the world—my condolences as well as prayer to Elder McNeil and the family. Mother Sheryl Dixon GHCOG.

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Sending prayers and sincere condolences to the family. Bishop McNeil was an inspiring pastor and teacher and will be truly missed. Job well done. R.I.P., Bishop McNeil. Mrs. Jacqueline (Lane) Williams & Family

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Elder Marcia & Overseer Roosevelt Biddles our sincerest condolences. May God comfort you and your family during this time of loss. Pastors Terry & Renee Gainer, Refreshing Worship Christian Church

- Shanza Gainer

Our heartfelt condolences to the family of Bishop Franklin McNeil. His life and ministry made an indelible and long lasting impact on the lives of my daughter and me. Incredibly grateful for the season of our lives when we called his pastor. Dr. Angelia Bendolph and Diedre Graham

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With Love from Real Life Church -Pastor Joey Elsky

- Joey Elsky

Our family sends our deepest and sincere sympathy we love Bishop McNeil but God loves him best. Sophia Ransom Kelly and AL Kelly family 89H

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When we all get to Heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be, When we all see Jesus, we will sing and shout the Victory!! Rejoice McNeil Family, as we keep you in our prayers. Rejoice Greater Grace and give God the Glory for His addition to the Great Cloud of Witnesses! Rest well Bishop! - CrossRoads Christian Ministries, Prattville, AL

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It is with Our Deepest Sympathy and Heartfelt sadness that we learned about the passing this Great Man of God. Bishop McNeil, Well Done Sir. Our Prayers are certainly with the Family during Hour. With much Respect. Deacon Eddie and Cynthia German, Montgomery, AL

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So very sorry to learn of your father's, husband and Bishop's passing. May his love continues to guide each of you. May the Faith shared bring you peace and comfort. Franklin,Jr know your father has left a great legacy I remembered attending your church when I was a child. Sending prayers to each of you. Thanks Bishop for all you have done for our community. Daren Marshall(Gresham Family)

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Sending prayers out to the McNeil family. Keeping you in my prayers. Mr and Mrs Poole and family.

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Sendi

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Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal. Keeping the family and many friends in prayer. Refuge Temple AME Zion Church Family

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Bishop McNeil was a trailblazer. He left a legacy that all should be proud of.

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Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.

- Phillips-Riley Funeral Home | Montgomery, AL