Gilbert McNeil, Sr. was born in Austin County, Texas on August 13, 1932to the late Rev. Frank A McNeil, Sr. and Mattie Gentry McNeil. He wasthe first born of 10 children (7 brothers and 2 sisters). Gilbert accepted Christ and was baptized at an early age. He was always a hard worker, even as a young boy. On school breaks, Gilbert and some of his brothers went to work with their father at a young age to help support the family. He remembered working in the fields and picking cotton in Burton, Texas.That didn’t stop him from shooting for his goals. After finishing high school, he attended Prairie View A&M University for two years, before being drafted into the army. Gilbert served in the U.S. Army from 1955-1957. He married Bettie Jean Conner on April 5, 1958. Bettie was a strong, dedicated, Christian wife of 47 glorious years, until her passing in 2005. He graduated from Barber College in the 1950s, and Beauty Collegeyears later. He also drove trucks for Southern Pacific for appx 15 years. He then began full-time self-employment at 49 years old. Gilbert always had a business mind. He was an entrepreneur as a young man. In the latter 1950s, he opened his Barber Shop (McNeil Barber Shop, later Demco Hair) and Real Estate Company (McNeil Realty) in 1965 in the heart of Third Ward (Houston) (now located in South Park), both of which he still owned and operated until his death. He also owned a sign company, Mack’s Magnetic Signs, which was a very successful business. As he was always a great photographer (taking photos for the family and other ventures early on), he broadened his knowledge by attending HCC for photography classes, and officially opened a photography business(Mack's Photography) in the 1990s. Gilbert was also an inventor. He invented the Brake Bleeder (Patented in 2020) and inventor of an Audible Burglar Alarm in the 1990s (which utilized his own voice when activated).He also loved politics and followed it closely since he was a boy (he was knowledgeable back to when Hoover was President). If you wanted to know his opinion about politics, his famous phrase was “Go to my Facebook Page.” He was certainly a "Jack of all Trades." His strong family values, as well as his Christian upbringing (as the son of a Baptist minister, raised in a small country town, Somerville, Texas), helped him to stay focused and be a strong provider for his family, as he always put God first and led by example. A few of his business philosophies were “you have to work hard for what you want," "you need to know how to do more than one thing because no job is promised to you" and “you should know something about everything so that you will not be cheated in life.” Gilbert was a great provider, great family man. He was very wise, loved life, loved his family, children, grandchildren and friends. Everyone looked up to him as the family patriarch. 

Gilbert was a longtime, faithful member of Christian Faith Missionary Baptist Church in Houston (Third Ward) for over 50 years, where he served on the men’s usher board until he moved his membership toGreater St. Matthew Baptist Church, SW, Houston to fellowship with his children and grandchildren. Gilbert also sang with a male gospel quartet many years ago (and sometimes sang in his sleep)! At 90 years old, he still worked at his Real Estate Office and Barber Shop. He loved spending time with his Senior’s Group, where he enjoyed card games, dominoes, exercise and socializing with other Seniors. He loved to travel and spend time with family. Another hobby he enjoyed for many, many years, was talking on the C.B. Radio. His handle was Jabbo (Jabbo, Jabbo, breaker 1-9). He believed strongly in family and "the family unit.” He served as the President of the Houston Chapter of the Gentry Family Reunion for many years and was very passionate about his family and the family reunions.

He is predeceased by his late, loving wife, Bettie J. Conner McNeil; his parents, Rev. Frank A. McNeil, Sr. and Mattie Gentry McNeil; sister, Vivian Lister; brothers, Rev. George O. McNeil, Sr., Frank McNeil, Jr.(and wife Laura McNeil); sister-in-laws and brother-in-laws: Ida Mae Conner, Annie Louise and Earl Robinson, Clarence and Nola Mae Conner, Willie and Hannah Conner, Norma Dee and Antoine Arceneaux, Sr.; and loving grand daughters, Mekeva McNeil and Artissa Williams Wiggins.

He leaves to cherish his memory, 6 children, Brian Conner (Carolyn), ToniMcNeil Pierre (Eric), Rosalind McNeil Williams (Lawrence), GilbertMcNeil, Jr. (Lisa), Jacqueline (Jackie) McNeil Poore (John), and DariusMcNeil; 18 grandchildren, 31 Great Grandkids; 1 sister, Ester McNeil Quiller; 5 brothers, Charles “Ben” McNeil (Don), James McNeil (Charlene), Wilbert McNeil (Alzena), Rev. Milton McNeil, Sr. (Barbara), Joe McNeil; Sister-in-Law, Doris McNeil; Brother-in-Law, Rev. Basel Lister, Sr.; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other family members.