Jill Elizabeth Breinig Lobach Graybeal, 94, a music educator, passed away Sunday, June 22, 2025. She was born April 1, 1931, in Akron, Ohio, to the late Titus Breinig Lobach and Katherine S. Lobach.
After graduating from high school, Jill earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Piano from the University of Richmond in Virginia in 1952. On July 18, 1953, in Akron, Ohio, Jill married John Patrick “Pat” Graybeal. They had two daughters, Sally and Nancy. Sally predeceased her in 2007, and Pat in 2024. Jill began her career as an educator in 1956 and later earned a Master of Science degree in Music Education from Radford University in Radford, in 1968. She also completed various continuing education courses along the way. She taught special education and choral music for Henrico County School System in Virginia (1956-1959); physical education and music at Blacksburg High School (1959-1961); instructed grades 1-12 music for the Christiansburg school system (1968-1971); served as supervisor of music and coordinator of fine arts for Montgomery County Schools (1971-1983); and was director of personnel for Montgomery County Schools until her retirement in 1983. Throughout her career, Jill held numerous professional memberships. During college, she was a member of Sigma Alpha Iota, the International Music Fraternity, Phi Delta Kappa, a professional education association; Phi Kappa Phi, a professional honor society; Music Educators National Conference; Virginia Music Education Association; and the Virginia Association of School Administrative Personnel. She served on various divisions, regional, and statewide commissions related to arts, curriculum development, teacher certification, student teachers, and personnel administration. Jill was also a guest lecturer at Radford University and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. She was honored to present at the Sixth Annual Conference on Educational Research for the Virginia State Department of Education. In addition to her professional achievements, Jill was very active in civic organizations. She founded and directed the Christiansburg Community Chorus, co-founded and was a member of the Montgomery County Council for the Arts, served as Director of Music for the Bicentennial Celebration, directed the Montgomery County Handbell Choir, and was a member and Director of St. Paul United Methodist Church. Her civic volunteer work included fundraising for the American Cancer Society and the Girl Scouts.
Jill is survived by her daughter, Nancy Graybeal, and her husband, William McNeil; son-in-law, Christopher K. Minnigh (Julia); along with other extended family and friends. They will remember her for her dignity, faith, her love of teaching, and kindness. She was an incredible wife and mother who will be deeply missed. A memorial service will be held today, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at 2 p.m. at Waltonwood, 750 SE Cary Parkway, Cary, N.C.
