John Roy O'Neil

November 16, 1933 - November 20, 2020

Rev. John O’Neil was born in Manassas, Georgia on November 16, 1933 to the late Joseph Leroy O’Neal and Mary Frances Miles O’Neal. Rev. O’Neil was a minister of the gospel, studying at Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri. He started preaching in his early 20s and soon after began pastoring churches. He pastored churches in Georgia, Florida, Missouri, Illinois, and Alabama. He had a passion for missions. After retiring from pastoring, he joined HELP Ministries working with pastors from other countries, training them in how to better pastor their churches back in their own countries. He and his late wife, Bonnie, loved working with the missionaries, offering them guidance, encouragement, and support. If John O’Neil knew you, he loved you. Every morning, the first thing on his mind was to be a blessing to someone that day. He loved people. Following doctor’s suggestion in 2019, Rev. O’Neil moved from his home in Moultrie GA to live with his daughter, Linda, in Walland TN. He missed all his friends. His health was in decline and he was unable to travel. But he did find contentment at his new church in Maryville TN, Fellowship Baptist Church where he loved to go worship. Rev. O’Neil met his Savior face to face on Friday, November 20, 2020. He was at home with Linda and Carl when he took his last breath without any struggle. Visitation with the family will be at Albritton Funeral Home in Tifton GA on Tuesday evening, November 24, 2020 from 5:00 – 8:00. (The funeral home requires that everyone wear a mask while in the building.) The grave side funeral will be at Sherwood Memorial Park in Jonesborough GA on Wednesday morning, November 25, 2020 at 11:00. Rev. O’Neil was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Bonnie Louise Parks O’Neil; a son, Joseph O’Neil; a daughter, Esther Ellen O’Neil Sellars; Brothers, David Wallace O’Neal and Wilbur Allen O’Neal; and sister, Ruby Lee O’Neal Brown. Survivors include: two daughters and sons-in-law, Linda and Carl Beaty of Walland TN and Paula and Tim Donnelly of Fayetteville GA; two sons and daughter in law, Johnny O’Neil of Decatur AL and Doug and Michelle O’Neil of Maryville TN; one sister, Mary Joyce O’Neal Murray of Jackson GA. He has 10 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren. Several nieces and nephews, In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to H.E.L.P. Ministries 113 Deacon Ln Pinnacle, NC 27043. Local arrangements, condolences, and memories may be shared online with Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com