Brenda Gayle (Smith) Neil

Mrs. Brenda S. Neil, 73, of Coward, beloved wife of Wayne Neil, passed away on May 26, 2026, at her home after a long battle with dementia.  

Brenda Gayle Smith Neil was born on November 21, 1952, in Clarendon County, daughter of the late James Kenneth Smith and Sarah Victoria Pate Smith. Brenda was a graduate of J. C. Lynch High School, class of ’71. She will be remembered for her beautiful smile and those gleaming eyes that could light up a room. She loved God deeply and proudly proclaimed Him as her Lord and Savior. Brenda was a faithful member of the Lake City Church of God for more than 40 years. She enjoyed collecting anything related to redbirds and cardinals and had a special fascination with clocks and watches. Above all, her greatest joy and favorite role in life was being a loving mother to her two girls.

Surviving are her husband of 54 years, Wayne E. Neil; daughters, Angel Neil (Travis Yarborough) and Juliette (Jay) Thier; grandson, Wyatt Yock and granddaughter, Jayde Thier, all of whom she dearly loved.

Mrs. Neil was preceded in death by a brother, Kenneth Wayne Smith.

A special thank you is extended to McLeod Hospice for the compassionate care given to Brenda during her final weeks, and to Mrs. Patricia Tedder and Mrs. Francis Foxworth, who were Brenda’s longtime caregivers.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at Carolina Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Lake City Church of God.

Burial will follow at The Bible Temple Garden of Rest Cemetery.

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