Lela M. O'Neal

BORN TO THIS LIFE: JANUARY 13, 1921

BORN TO ETERNAL GLORY IN CHRIST: JULY 13, 2024

Psalm 116:15: “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his Godly ones”

John Locke, 17th century English philosopher, Age of Enlightenment thinker, physician, and major contributor to the U. S. Declaration of Independence ideals, believed that we are born as a “clean slate,” without innate knowledge or understanding. A major contributor to the formation and foundation of our National Founding Document, Locke instigated our Founding Fathers to an understanding that we are innately without significant knowledge or understanding at birth. His beliefs also persuaded our Colonial Founders to a deep understanding of separation of national government powers, the right of private individual ownership of property, and the dignity of us all as individuals. While Locke’s life preceded Mrs. Lela Means O’Neal by nearly 300 years, her life was directly influenced by this Englishman’s contributions to our American government, miraculous spiritual and social building. She truly believed in the worth and dignity of the individual, and his or her merit before a Gracious and Loving God.

From her earliest years in the American rural South of Clarksdale, Mississippi, (then) Lela Means was born to Melvin & Melissa Kirksey, and brought as a mere babe-in-arms to the bustling city of Chicago, Illinois by her parents and grandparents who, like many thousands other American Blacks during the early Twentieth Century, desperately pressed upward for better jobs, housing, and social opportunities. Though the sacrifices of departing the familiarity and warmth of the South would be punishing in the winter cold of the North and bustling Chicago, yet much gratitude must be given to Lela’s parents and grandparents who were willing to sacrifice comfort and familiarity for better quality of life for Lela, as well as all those who would follow after her. She quickly adjusted to the culture of the North, graduating from Medill School as a student of excellence. While certainly talented and capable, she longed to pursue further studies in Interior Design, and other esoteric studies. However, the culture of her day prevented that door from opening to her. But years later she was able to fulfill that dream, and attended Ray Vogue School of Interior Design, where she excelled greatly.

As a child, Lela accepted Christ as Savior at the Zion Hill Baptist Church, where she played the organ for Sunday School. There she subsequently met and fell in love with Prince Osceola O’Neal, the son of fellow Zion Hill parishioners, Henry and Susannah O’Neal, and they were married on June 27, 1937. They were blessed to raise 8 children – 5 girls and 3 boys. And this generation of children has subsequently increased to produce grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great great-grandchildren, all expanding across the United States from Chicago, Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, California, and Texas. The personal disciplines, parental attributes, values, goals, and structures impelled by Prince and Lela were absorbed by their children and later generational progeny; and these went on to produce members in several fields, to wit: nursing, homemaking, small business owners, lawyer, along with various other professional and productive fields of life.

She was employed with the US Postal Service, retiring after over 25 years of service. And if that wasn’t enough, in the midst of working a full time job, being a wife, and raising 8 children, she found time to return to school, and ultimately received her Master’s degree from Governor’s State University.

After training up their eight children as the Scriptures command (Prov. 22:6), Prince and Lela traveled, and influenced their grandchildren’s lives, subsequently raising three of them. Thereafter, they decided to relocate back to the South, this time to St. Petersburg, Florida in 1980, taking those three grandchildren with them.

Although a childhood follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, Lela reaffirmed her eternal faith and commitment to our Lord and Savior after moving to St. Petersburg with her husband, Prince. They both became members of the Bethel Metropolitan Baptist Church community in that city. Though she was in her sixties, she was no benchwarmer. She became actively involved in the Music Ministry of the church, returning to her childhood gift as a faithful organist, until she moved back north. Prince also joined, and was baptized there at Bethel at the age of 73. He also was a faithful member as well, serving on the deacon board until the Lord called him home.

One of their greatest joys was having all of their children and grandchildren visit, to enjoy the children’s swimming fun in the outdoor pool. The couple resided in St. Petersburg until Prince’s passing in 1999, just two months shy of their 62nd wedding anniversary. While Prince departed this life, and the love of his life, Lela, in true persistent fashion, relocated to Land O’Lakes, Florida in 2001. She ultimately returned to the Chicagoland area to Tinley Park in the fall of 2013. In response to her family’s questions about the move, Lela is said to have “missed the snow up North that she enjoyed in her childhood and youth,” notwithstanding the brunt of the “hawkish” Chicago winters. In Chicago she joined Christ Bible Church, and faithfully attended the senior women’s Sunday School, where she shared her vast life experiences. She was loved by all who met her, and would "hold court", as everyone had to come by and give her a hug and a kiss!

Through the depths of grief, pain, and tears from the loss of their mother, grandmother, & great-grandmother, the family must now reflect on the impact and import of her life on them. As noted Christian author and spokesperson, Charles Colson, opined, “How now shall we live?” This very question is being posed to each of her progeny as they will find comfort in God’s Word, the Holy Scriptures.

For all of her years of acquired knowledge, wisdom and understanding, Lela O’Neal remained focused on the protection of her loved ones. Her daily efforts were consumed in answering the Biblical question of how she might prove herself acceptable unto the Lord Jesus, and thereby enhance the lives of this great multitude of family members. She and her husband, Prince O’Neal covenanted with one another early in their marriage, to impress Godly values and morals upon their children, grandchildren, and the generations to come. Their focused aim was to bring forth every gift, talent & ability God had instilled in each child for the unified good of the family, for society at large and posterity’s sake. As a Genesis 2:23 union, they committed to bring God glory and honor through the upbringing of their children & grandchildren, that they might faithfully give account to God for each child passing through their hands; they also strived to mold, fashion and bring forth each child’s purpose to Biblically challenge this world so desperately in need of Godly men and women in Christ Jesus.

Lela remained in Tinley Park, IL until the Lord Jesus summoned her home to be with Him early Saturday morning, July 13, 2024. Preceding her in death are: her husband Prince O. O’Neal Sr.; her son Prince O. O’Neal II; her daughters Cherie A. O’Neal and Donna A. Riley; her daughter-in-love Carolyn O’Neal; and her son-in-love of 46 years, Gilbert E. Jones. Lela leaves to cherish her memory five children: Robert G. O’Neal, Lela P. Davison, Karen L. O’Neal, Karlin W. O’Neal, and Angelique M. Jones, 14 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and a multitude of great great-grandchildren. So, in adherence and obedience to God’s gift of life, that they might live by the Ten Commandments, the Old and New Testaments, and every “jot and tittle” of the Lord Jesus’ Hebrew Scriptures, Prince and Lela O’Neal have completed their work in this life. We pray that the Lord Jesus has found their lives to be “a sweet savor” offered up to Him by His mercy and grace.