Jack O’Neal, 83, of Enville, died on Sunday, Oct. 30, in Jackson. Funeral services will be at Enville United Methodist Church at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4, with Brother Keith Carlson officiating. Neal Smith and Vicki Dimond will offer personal remarks. Burial will follow at Enville Woodlawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Crook Avenue from 5-8 p.m. Thursday and again at Enville UMC from noon-2 p.m. Friday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Enville Woodlawn Cemetery or another charity of your choice.
He was born on March 22, 1939, to Hallie Bye and Exie Mae Holley O’Neal. He was a farmer, community banker and lifelong champion of the Enville community he loved.
He graduated from Chester County High School in 1958. He worked four decades in community banks, starting with six years at the old Bank of Enville and followed by six years with First Federal Savings & Loan in Savannah. He retired in 2011 from Chester County Bank after a 32-year tenure. He married Tera Jane Stricklin on June 17, 1972.
He was committed to serving the public. If customers could not come into the bank during business hours, he met with them after hours at his home. When customers asked for loans that were too small for the bank to write, he made loans from his personal funds.
He had a lifelong interest in livestock farming. He loved to be outdoors, baling hay, trimming trees, and tending his 130-acre farm.
He was a faithful member of Enville United Methodist Church and served as Sunday School superintendent and council chairman. He gave an elderly neighbor a ride every Sunday morning for several years.
He helped found the Enville Community Club. Though he moved to Jackson this year, he remained loyal to Enville, insisting that his stamps come from the Enville post office in hopes it would not be closed. Mrs. Jane McCaig and Ms. Odesa Newbern were his beloved caregivers.
He is survived by his wife, Tera; son, Bobby O’Neal of Enville; daughter, Lee Ann O’Neal of Houston, Texas; and granddaughters Madisan O’Neal and Ilyana Carson.
