Verda O'Neal

(From Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home)

Verda May Wall O’Neal, age 86 years and 9 months of Shell Knob, Missouri, went home to be with the Lord on February 21, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

Born on May 24, 1939, at home in Dallas, Oregon, she was the daughter of Franklin Wall and Olga Fast Wall. She was raised in Dallas, where her faith and love of learning began to take root. She graduated from Salem Academy in 1957, and continued her studies at Multnomah School of the Bible, graduating in 1960, and later earned her degree from Oregon College of Education in 1964.

On August 21, 1964, she married Robert O’Neal, and together they built a life rooted in faith, family, and many camping adventures. They were married for 58 years, sharing a lifetime of love and devotion.

Verda began her career as a teacher in 1964 and faithfully served until her retirement in 2008. She was known for her dedication and compassion, shaping the lives of countless students with patience and encouragement. Outside the classroom, she found joy in gardening, church, macramé, and scrapbooking, lovingly taking care of her family and preserving cherished memories.

Above all, she was a devoted wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. She will be remembered for being a faithful prayer warrior, and for her strength, faith, and grace. Her quiet steadfast prayers and unwavering love were a foundation for her family and a source of comfort to many.

Verda is survived by her children, Jill O’Neal Fisk and her husband, Tom, Shelli O’Neal, and Michael O’Neal and his wife, Gina; eleven grandchildren, Kendyl Fisk Berry, Joshua Fisk, Caleb Fisk, Jonathan Fisk, Isaac Fisk, Clayborne West, Garrett West, Mackenzi West, Tyce O’Neal, Trevyn O’Neal, and Jayla O’Neal and seven great-grandchildren, Nova Berry, Alena Berry, Archer Berry, Roman Fisk, Kaedence Fisk, Ezra Fisk, and Cleo Fisk. She is also survived by her siblings, Elvera Wall Voth and Samuel Wall.

Verda was preceded in death by her parents, Franklin Wall, and Olga Wall; her sister, Delores Wall Flaming; and her husband, Robert O’Neal.

A celebration of Verda’s life, under the direction of Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home in Aurora, Missouri, will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at Orange Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Aurora, Missouri.

She will be deeply missed and forever loved.