KAROL LENORE MCNEER

Apr. 18, 1953 - Aug. 31, 2020

Karol Lenore McNeer, 67, a longtime Imperial resident and former Lincoln Elementary School teacher, passed away quietly in her sleep on August 31st in her home.

Born April 18, 1953, in Los Angeles to Robert L. and Marilyn Jo Knight, Karol’s family moved in 1955 t o National City, where she was raised. She was a Girl Scout Brownie and was active in Job’s Daughters Bethel #164 of National City. She belonged t o the National City First Baptist Church youth group and was senior class treasurer at Sweetwater Union High School i n National City. Growing up, her family discussed faith, politics and the arts at the dinner table, setting the stage for a life filled with love and appreciation for all three.

Karol graduated from SUHI in 1971 before continuing her education at United States International University in S an Diego, g raduating in 1975 with her Bachelor of Arts degree. She earned her Master o f Arts degree in Multicultural Education from Pepperdine University, a ttending school in Mexico while pursuing her master’s.

Karol was a substitute teacher for two years in San Diego and afterward taught f irst through sixth grades over her 33 years at Lincoln Elementary School i n El Centro. The story of how she came to El Centro is one she enjoyed sharing, often with a broad smile and a chuckle. On trips to v isit family in Indiana, the Knights would come through El Centro, stopping for food or fuel. As a youngster, Karol wasn’t impressed with the area. While looking for a teaching job, she prayed God would not send her to teach in El Centro, but that is where she came in 1977. She fell in love with Lincoln Elementary, her students, and the Imperial Valley, r etiring in June 2010.

Shortly after moving to the Valley, she became involved with Imperial Community Church in Imperial, where she met her husband, William “Bill” McNeer of Imperial. T hey married on December 19, 1981. T he McNeers have long been active in and supporters of off- road racing. Shortly before her death they purchased a new off- road vehicle, which she had the pleasure of riding in twice.

Karol was an e fficient organizer, helping put together Lincoln’s first Student S tudy Tea and the school’s annual Career Day. She was known for leaving a leadership position well organized, complete with binders full of instructions for the next leader. She was a member of the Imperial Valley Reading Council, working on the Imperial County Spelling Contest. She was a director for Birthright of Imperial Valley (now BirthChoice).

At Imperial Community Church, where she was a longtime member, she was youth director in the summer of 1 981, for several y ears was a Sunday school teacher for the Primary Department and ARC homes class, was an Awana leader, Vacation Bible School co- leader, and the “crafts lady” for many children’s e vents. After retiring from teaching, she taught Released Time and was involved in Child Evangelism Fellowship training.

Karol loved the Lord Jesus, accepting him as her Savior at a ge 1 0 at First Baptist Church, National City. S he savored life to the fullest. She enjoyed conservative politics, remembering well shaking President Nixon’s hand. She attended the 1996 Republican Convention in San Diego and belonged to the local chapter of the Republican Women.

She cherished learning about history. She was a life member of the Imperial Valley Pioneers’ Society and belonged to the Native Daughters of the Golden West. She especially enjoyed scrapbooking; her best friend, Julie Malan, dubbed her scrapbooking room the Karol M cNeer Museum. She loved to t ravel, meticulously planning out places to visit and sights to see. She visited the East Coast twice, as well as Atlanta, Omaha and Seattle.

Karol relished her coffee and in her later years was a regular at 3:16 coffee shop in Imperial.

Karol is survived by her husband of 38 years, B ill McNeer; sister and brother- in- law, Kandace and Mark Holm of Prescott, AZ .; niece, Helena So to of Te me cu la; sister- in-law, Lynn Yapel of Las Vegas; brother- in-law, Martin McNeer of Imperial and many, many friends.

Karol’s passing leaves an enormous void in the hearts of her family and friends, in her church, and in her community, but those who knew her well know where she is today.

A memorial service will be at 1 0 a.m. September 19th at Imperial Community Church with Pastor Jim Simpson officiating. Plans are to l ivestream the service. Please check the church’ s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com /imp eri al community church, for updates.

Karol’s family suggests donations in her name may be made to Imperial Community Church, 300 W. Barioni Blvd., Imperial, CA 92251.