Chandra Renita McNeal, affectionately known as “Darling Dear,” was born on September 8, 1958, to the union of Pharmey McNeal and the late David Hill in Chicago, Illinois. She was the youngest of three girls. Dear accepted Christ at a very early age, and she was baptized at Unity Fellowship Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois, under the leadership of Pastor Albert Hayes. Dear was raised on the Westside of Chicago and formally educated in the Chicago Public School System. Dear worked a variety of jobs throughout her life. One most appropriate position was being a homemaker for her mother and caretaker for her grandsons. Dear was a very friendly, charming, and witty person. Dear was known for her love of music, movies, and celebrity news. She could name any song, artist, film, actor, and actress. Moreover, she had a passion for her family, and she would often show it by saying, “I love you!” Dear touched many people’s lives with her charm and keen memory, such as remembering everyone’s birthday and their life story! Dear departed from this life into eternity on Sunday, August 8, 2021, at 4:08 a.m., she slipped away quietly at home in Joliet, Illinois. Her father, David Hill, and oldest sister, Vernell Hill-Collins, preceded Dear in death. Dear will be greatly missed by her family and friends and leaves to cherish her memory: her devoted and loving mother, Pharmey McNeal; her doting daughter, Brittany (Raysion) Lehmann of Joliet, IL; two loving sisters, Dorothy Ann Sawyer and Deborah Ann Scott of Chicago, IL; two loving grandsons who loved her dearly, Brishaun and Breland; one aunt, Juryline Cole of Memphis, TN; her lifetime sister/friends, Angela Evans, Deborah Gibbs, Diane Logan, and Cynthia Russell; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family, neighbors, and friends.
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