Farris O'Neal

Today we enter in a celebration of hope as we entrust the soul of Deacon Emeritus Farris O'Neal who entered into a quiet eternal rest on Friday, February 3, 2023, at his home in Roswell, Georgia surrounded by his family. Deacon O’Neal was born on December 12, 1932, in Phenix City, Alabama to the late Louise Turner. He attended the Good Hope Missionary Baptist school in Lee County, Alabama. At an early age, Deacon O'Neal professed his faith in Jesus Christ and joined Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church, in Phenix City, Alabama under the direction of Reverend Fleming, where he became a loyal servant and a dedicated member. At Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church, he served as a Senior Deacon, sang in the Men's Choir, and participated on the Hospitality Committee. Deacon O'Neal later moved his membership and became a loyal and dedicated member at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Smiths, Alabama. Deacon O'Neal was united in holy matrimony to his best friend and the love of his life, Rebecca Philips, of Smiths, Alabama on June 28, 1959. He was blessed with eight daughters: Gloria, Annette, Rica, Cassandra, Vanteria, Charissa, Sherrellis, and Quintina. In 2002, Deacon O'Neal and his beautiful wife, Rebecca, joined Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Roswell, Georgia. There he served in the Deacons Ministry. Deacon O'Neal was also a master constructions tradesman, where he would volunteer his time and assets as he would improve lives. As a result of his generous spirit and positive outlook on life, he was respected and loved by so many. Deacon O'Neal also had a passion for baseball. His Christian life was as beautiful as the forest, lakes, streams and rivers he loved so well. Deacon O'Neal was preceded in death by his mother, Louise Turner; his four siblings; Brady, Gertrude, Ronella, and Hardly Lee; and his son-in-law, James Owens.His beautiful and bountiful legacy will forever be cherished in the lives of his loving wife of 63 years, Rebecca; his eight children; Rica Gaines of Anchorage, Alaska; Cassandra (Leoneal, Jr.) Davis of Marietta, Georgia; Vanteria (Matthew) Geller of Nashville, Tennessee; Charissa O'Neal of Jacksonville, Florida; Sherrellis (Darrell) Smith of Roswell, Georgia; Quintina Swinney of Roswell, Georgia; Annette Phillips of Bronx, New York; and Gloria Jean Owens of Auburn, Alabama; his three siblings: Shirley Underwood, Edna Turner, and Willliam Turner; thirteen grandchildren: Juan Gaines, Jr., Kristie Floyd, Ambria Davis, Justin Geller, Shane Geller, Dylan Geller, Ciarra Smith, Cian Smith, Xavier O'Neal, Dalton Swinney, DeWana O. Blackmon, Kimberly Moss, and Jamelia Owens; a host of great-grandchildren; great-great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law; nieces, nephews, cousins; and his devoted friends; Deacon Tom and Deaconess Edwina Davis, and his Zion Church family. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the James Owens Foundation or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Both are linked at the bottom of the page under 'Memorial Contributions'.