Ernye (Roberson) McNeal

Ernye Roberson McNeal was born to Anderson and Amelia Roberson on November 7, 1937 just outside the city limits of Greenwood, Mississippi. She passed away on December 17, 2024. She was the 7th of 13 children.

Ernye was baptized and became a member of Providence Baptist Church at an early age where she was an active member until she relocated to Kansas City, Kansas in the early 1960s. While in Kansas City, she continued her commitment to her faith as an active member of several churches, including Calvary Baptist Church, where Rev. O.L. Brown was pastor, Brown’s Chapel where Rev. O.L. Brown was pastor, and Rising Star Baptist Church where Rev. J.R. Williamson was pastor at the time and Rev. Micheal Black is currently the pastor. At Rising Star, Ernye sang in the Senior Choir and served in several roles, including: Church Financial Secretary, Mother Board President, Choir President, Sunday School Teacher, New Member’s Class Teacher, Wednesday Night Bible Class Teacher, Mission Teacher, Vacation Bible School Director, and Pastor’s Anniversaries Chairperson. Ernye also served as a representative to many National Baptist Convention Christian Education Congresses where she earned several certificates of completion in the field that she dearly loved - teaching.

Ernye was educated in the public schools of Greenwood and graduated from Broad Street High School. She earned a basketball scholarship to Mississippi Valley State University, where she majored in Mathematics and minored in English. While in college, she tutored other students in math and taught math classes. Following her graduation from MVSU, Ernye earned a Master’s degree in Mathematics from Emporia State University. She taught in Minter City and Greenwood, Mississippi before moving to Kansas City with her husband William Parker.  Upon her relocation to Kansas City, Ernye first taught in Kansas City, Missouri at Lincoln High School before teaching in the USD 500 School District in Kansas City, Kansas. She taught in USD 500 for more than 30 years before retiring in the 1990s.

An accomplished member of the Order of the Eastern Star Kansas and its Jurisdiction for many years, Ernye served as Grand Worthy Matron for the state of Kansas from 2013 to 2015. Prior to that position, she served as Grand Treasurer, Grand Conductress, and Grand Associate Conductress. Her Masonic journey began when she became a member of Alice M. Browne #40, where she served as Worthy Matron, Associate Matron, Conductress, Associate Conductress, Secretary, and several Star Point positions. Because of her illness she was not able to participate as much as she would have liked. However, her membership was still active. Her dedication to this organization reflected her commitment to service and community.

Ernye was preceded in death by her parents Anderson and Amelia and her siblings Otha, Lerlie, Marie, Delores, Valerie, Pearlie Mae, Charles, Johnny, and Tommy James. She was also preceded in death by her husbands William Parker, Rev. O.L. Brown, and Charles McNeal. She is survived by her siblings Dorothy Wilson and Patricia Lipsey (Arthur) of Kansas City, Kansas, and Robert Roberson of Fort Worth, Texas, along with her three children George Parker of Sacramento, California, Kathryn Davis (Clinton) of Kansas City, Kansas, and Anthony Parker (Kelsey) of Olathe, Kansas, and her cherished grandchildren Clinton Davis of Kansas City, Kansas, George Davis of Kansas City, and Brianna Parker of Olathe, Kansas as well as a host of nieces and nephews.

Ernye Roberson McNeal's legacy of faith, dedication to education, and deep love for her family will forever be cherished and remembered by all who were fortunate to know her. Her spirit, kindness, and unwavering commitment to making a difference in the lives of others will continue to inspire those she touched. 

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