Obituaries
Obituary for Mary Helen O'Neal
Mary Helen O'Neal, 70, died February 17, 2020.
Ms. Mary Helen O’Neal was born on January 29, 1950 to the late Mr. Luster Spinks and Mrs. Rose Ellar Franklin-Spinks in Moscow, Tennessee. She was the third youngest of thirteen children. She professed Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age in Moscow and later became a member of Lee Road Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio during her adulthood where her children were baptized.
Mary left Moscow, Tennessee shortly after high school and settled in Cleveland, Ohio where she resided with her sister Catherine Collins until she was united in holy matrimony to Charles O’Neal of Greensville, Mississippi. Under their union two children were born – Charles and Charla.
Mary loved life to the fullest and accomplished numerous achievements to include being a recipient of the International Poet of Merit Award and being selected into the International Society of Poets. Her works were published in several revisions of “Who’s Who in Poetry.” During her marriage, she and her husband Charles earned the distinction of becoming one of the first African American owners of Harness Racehorses in Northeast Ohio. Mary worked in several career fields during her lifetime and studied as a dental hygienist prior to marriage. She retired as a nursing assistant over a decade ago. In her spare time, she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, cooking, listening to music and writing poetry.
Mary went home to the “Father” on Monday, February 17, 2020 at 2:00 P.M. at Methodist North Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee with her son, daughter, brother Oscar and sister-in-law Carolyn and other family members praying over her as she transitioned to her new life. Mary will be remembered for her free and loving spirit.
She was preceded in death by her late parents Luster and Rose Ellar Franklin-Spinks, her sisters Charlesetta Jackson and Catherine Collins and her brothers Junior Crossett “Ted” Spinks and John “JW” Spinks.
Mary leaves to continue her legacy and cherish her memories: two children, eight grandchildren, five sisters, three brothers, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends. Children: Charles O’Neal Jr of Murrieta, California and Charla O’Neal of Memphis, Tennessee. One daughter-in-law: Natsuko Sato O’Neal of Nagasaki, Japan. Grandchildren: Adonis D’Andre Holloway, Ardous Da’shun Holloway, Zarreaz Tynesha Ingram, Mia O’Neal, Nyla O’Neal, Malik Rio O’Neal, Vanessa Maya Holloway and Jazavin Ja’shawn Harris. Five sisters: Roxie Tee Briggs of Memphis, Tennessee, Mattie Mae Tatum of Memphis, Tennessee, Revone Albert of Cleveland, Ohio, Daisy Griffith (Hercules) of Fort Pierce, Florida, and Barbara Jo Miller of Rochester, New York. Three brothers: Worda “Bill” (Geraldine) Spinks of Rochester, New York, Charles “Nitt” (Flora) Spinks of Waterport, New York, and Oscar “Bo” (Carolyn) Spinks of Memphis, Tennessee.
Serenity Funeral Home, Tel. (901)379-0861.
Read More
Ms. Mary Helen O’Neal was born on January 29, 1950 to the late Mr. Luster Spinks and Mrs. Rose Ellar Franklin-Spinks in Moscow, Tennessee. She was the third youngest of thirteen children. She professed Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age in Moscow and later became a member of Lee Road Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio during her adulthood where her children were baptized.
Mary left Moscow, Tennessee shortly after high school and settled in Cleveland, Ohio where she resided with her sister Catherine Collins until she was united in holy matrimony to Charles O’Neal of Greensville, Mississippi. Under their union two children were born – Charles and Charla.
Mary loved life to the fullest and accomplished numerous achievements to include being a recipient of the International Poet of Merit Award and being selected into the International Society of Poets. Her works were published in several revisions of “Who’s Who in Poetry.” During her marriage, she and her husband Charles earned the distinction of becoming one of the first African American owners of Harness Racehorses in Northeast Ohio. Mary worked in several career fields during her lifetime and studied as a dental hygienist prior to marriage. She retired as a nursing assistant over a decade ago. In her spare time, she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, cooking, listening to music and writing poetry.
Mary went home to the “Father” on Monday, February 17, 2020 at 2:00 P.M. at Methodist North Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee with her son, daughter, brother Oscar and sister-in-law Carolyn and other family members praying over her as she transitioned to her new life. Mary will be remembered for her free and loving spirit.
She was preceded in death by her late parents Luster and Rose Ellar Franklin-Spinks, her sisters Charlesetta Jackson and Catherine Collins and her brothers Junior Crossett “Ted” Spinks and John “JW” Spinks.
Mary leaves to continue her legacy and cherish her memories: two children, eight grandchildren, five sisters, three brothers, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends. Children: Charles O’Neal Jr of Murrieta, California and Charla O’Neal of Memphis, Tennessee. One daughter-in-law: Natsuko Sato O’Neal of Nagasaki, Japan. Grandchildren: Adonis D’Andre Holloway, Ardous Da’shun Holloway, Zarreaz Tynesha Ingram, Mia O’Neal, Nyla O’Neal, Malik Rio O’Neal, Vanessa Maya Holloway and Jazavin Ja’shawn Harris. Five sisters: Roxie Tee Briggs of Memphis, Tennessee, Mattie Mae Tatum of Memphis, Tennessee, Revone Albert of Cleveland, Ohio, Daisy Griffith (Hercules) of Fort Pierce, Florida, and Barbara Jo Miller of Rochester, New York. Three brothers: Worda “Bill” (Geraldine) Spinks of Rochester, New York, Charles “Nitt” (Flora) Spinks of Waterport, New York, and Oscar “Bo” (Carolyn) Spinks of Memphis, Tennessee.
Serenity Funeral Home, Tel. (901)379-0861.
Previous Events
Visitation
Friday
28
Feb
6:00 PM
- 8:00 PM
Serenity Funeral Home
1638 Sycamore View Road
Memphis, TN 38134
Service
Saturday
29
Feb
10:00 AM
Serenity Funeral Home
1638 Sycamore View Road
Memphis, TN 38134
Cemetery Details
Location
New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery
85 Spring Way
Moscow, TN 38057
Loading...