Morganton

On Wednesday, August 16, 2017, the God of love and creation, dispatched some

angels to one of His faithful servants to let him know that his assignment on this

earth was fulfilled and completed. The angels' order was for Mr. Edward Harrison

O'Neil, Sr., age 95, to take a flight from his residence on 213 Spainhour Street,

Morganton, NC to come home and spend eternity with God.

Edward was born on March 21, 1922 in Burke County, and was the son of the late

William Roscoe O'Neil and Lillie Mae Corpening O'Neil. He had a wonderful

sense of humor, an infectious smile and a loving and caring spirit.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Laura C. Fullwood

O'Neil; a son, John William O'Neil; sisters, Rosebud O'Neil, Willie Mae Green,

Louise Watts, Thelma Shade and Lucy Josephine Scott and his brother, Harold L.

O'Neil.

"Mr. Ed", as he was affectionately known, was a lifelong member of Gaston

Chapel AME Church, where he served as a Class Leader, Male Chorus member,

Trustee and Trustee Emeritus, Steward, Sunday School teacher, Lay Organization

member, member of the Usher Ministry, and helped in any way with any and all

church activities.

Mr. O'Neil was a very civic minded individual. He was a World War II Veteran, a

charter member and former Commander of the Berry-Chambers- Wright American

Legion Post #322, a member of the Queen of the West Lodge #70 Masonic Order,

and a member of the Burke County Branch of the NAACP. He was a retired

factory worker from Drexel Enterprises of Morganton, and he also retired from the

City of Morganton, where he worked with the Recreation Department. He was an

avid sports fan, and maintained that love and zeal throughout his life by working

with local sports teams as a coach and mentor, working and supervising at the

Mountain View and Collett St. Recreation Centers and Shuey Field. Ed's devotion

to the youth of Morganton and greater Burke County expanded four generations

and his stem "stare" and positive admonitions kept many on a path to success.

He leaves behind a legacy of love for all who knew and loved him. He will be

dearly missed by all. Rejoicing at his reception by God in heaven is his son,

Edward Harrison O'Neil, Jr. (Sheila) of Queens, New York; his daughter, Deborah

Ann O'Neil of the home; sister, Carolyn Faye Carpenter of Glen Alpine; sister-in-law, Annie F. Brewer of Morganton; daughter-in-law, Mary Ann O'Neil of

Morganton; three grandchildren, Kimberly Sheray O'Neil of Plano, Texas; Ayana

Saron O'Neil of Greensboro, NC; Edward Harrison O'Neil, III of Charlotte, NC;

four great grandchildren, Bryanna Laura O'Neil, Dylan Latrell O'Neil; Justin

Lamar O'Neil, Tristan James O'Neil and a host of nephews, nieces, other relatives

and friends.

A public viewing will be held on today August 23, 2017 from 11:00 AM until 4:00 PM at Gaston Chapel AME Church, 100 Bouchelle St. Morganton, NC 28655. The Homegoing Celebration will be held on Thursday, August 24, 2017 at 1:00 PM with a family visitation from 12:00 PM until 12:55 PM at Gaston Chapel AME Church.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that a memorial contribution be made to Gaston Chapel A.M.E. Church.

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