Ulis O'Neal

Friday, March 11, 2005

BRIDGES -- Ulis O'Neal, 94, died at 8:30 p.m. March 10, 2005, at Sikeston Convalescent Center.

Born July 28, 1910, in Searcy, Ark., son of the late Johnny Matthew and Polly Ann Wright O'Neal, he lived in Searcy where he obtained a teaching certificate and taught in rural Arkansas schools. In 1946, he moved to Mississippi County and became a farmer and landowner. He was the oldest member of the New Bethel Baptist Church where he served as deacon.

On Oct. 8, 1932, he married Ruth Branum, who preceded him in death on July 28, 1928.

Also preceding him in death were one daughter, Lenora O'Neal Williams; two brothers, McKinley O'Neal and James Roy O'Neal; two sisters, Delia Ward Castle and Flossie Lindner; and two great-grandchildren, Wyatt Robertson Layton and Mary Claire Layton.

Survivors include: two daughters and sons-in-law, Judith Ann and Hoyt G. Barnes of Charleston and Linda Kaye and Tim S. Layton of Charleston; one brother, Earnest O'Neal of Catoosa, Okla.; one sister, Ressie Holder of Marshall, Ark.; three grandchildren and two grandchildren-in-law, Pamela Gayle Williams of Sikeston, Scott O'Neal and Meredith Claire Layton of Knoxville, Tenn., and April Lynn and David Lee Whitworth of Jackson; four great-grandchildren, Branum O'Neal "Bo" Layton and Ethan Tabb Layton of Knoxville, Landon Barnes Whitworth and Choya Jarrod Whitworth of Jackson; and his caregivers, Nelda Jones, Elsie Freeman and Pat Stallings.

Visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston, where services will be conducted at 3:30 p.m. Sunday. The Rev. Ted Wimberley of Charleston and the Rev. Tim Miller, pastor of the New Bethel Baptist Church, will officiate.

Burial will follow in the IOOF Cemetery near Charleston.

Pallbearers will be: Max Carlyle, Dale Glenn, Jack Feezor, Rick Reed, Smith DeLine and Johnny Shoffner.

Honorary pallbearers will be: Jeff Shoffner, Tom Glenn, J.E. Sisk, Adon Cox, Richard Cox, Sam Smoot, G.W. Allen, Martin Reinbott and Ed Barnhill.

Paid obituary