Velma Mae O’Neal

Velma Mae O’Neal of Irondale passed away on Thursday, January 20, 2011 at the age of Ninety-two years, Eight months and four days. Velma was the daughter of the late Lucy Elizabeth (Province) O’Neal and Harry Overton O’Neal. Velma was born in Irondale on Thursday, May 16, 1918.

Velma completed her grade school education in the one room Hazel Glen School in six years. She waited a year before starting high school at the Irondale High School. Going to high school was not easy to attain. She rode the bus, when it was available, but had to walk the four miles and cross a swinging bridge over Big River or ride a horse most of her junior and senior years. Her dedication paid dividends when she graduated as Valedictorian of her graduating class from Irondale High School in 1937.

Velma began her teaching career in the fall of 1937 in the Hickory Grove community in southeast Washington County. This was followed by three years in her home community of Hazel Glen, one year at Caledonia and three years at St. John’s in Mehlville, Missouri. The last thirty-two years of her career was at the Bristol School in Webster Groves, Missouri. Velma earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Children were very important to Velma and she touched many lives in her forty-one years of teaching. Velma missed three days of teaching in her forty-one years and that was due to the death of her father.

Another memory of her dedication to teaching and to children came in 1943 while teaching at Caledonia. She walked from the Hazel Glen community to Caledonia when an ice storm caused all motor vehicles to stop. Such was her determination and dedication.

Velma accepted Christ as her Savior while attending Junior College. She joined the Irondale United Methodist Church on July 2, 1955 and was a faithful member. When a fellowship hall was added to the church in 1975, Velma was a major force in its completion.

Velma is survived by her brother, John H. O’Neal and his wife Ina Carol of Irondale; two nieces, Melissa Crews and husband Dennis of West Bath, Maine and their children, Elliott, twins, Audrey and Edward and Delaney; Sherri Murrish and husband Jeremy and their children Reagan, Logan and Morgan of Florissant, Missouri. Also surviving are many cousins, friends, students and many dear and very special friends.

Velma’s enjoyment through the years was sending cards and notes to family and friends on birthdays, anniversaries and any other occasion or just to let them know that someone was thinking of them and cared for them. Velma enjoyed cooking and was an excellent baker. She loved seeing others savor her goodies!

Visitation was held Sunday, January 23, 2011 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Moore Funeral Home, Irondale and Monday, January 24, 2011 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Irondale United Methodist Church.

Funeral Services were held Monday, January 24, 2011 at 1:00 PM at the Irondale United Methodist Church with Reverend Bob Payne officiating.

Burial was at the Caledonia Methodist Cemetery, Caledonia. Honoring Velma, serving, as Pallbearers were Paul Lashley, Ray Davis, Kevin Province, Earl Province, Gerald Province and Grady Byers.

Memorials may be directed to the Irondale United Methodist Church or St. Louis Shriners Hospital in memory of Velma.

Services were entrusted to the Care and Love of the Moore Funeral Homes, Irondale, Missouri.