Ernest Eugene O'Neal

Mr. Ernest Eugene O’Neal, affectionately known as “Pop”, age 88, entered his heavenly home Saturday, January 28, 2023.  He was born July 7, 1934, in Hartsville, SC, son of the late Tina Gainey. Ernest loved to fish, play a card game he called “Smut”, eat ice cream, run a dozer, be outside, and he especially loved his granddaughters and great grandsons.  He would say, “I love you a bushel and a peck with a hug around the neck.”

Ernest was a determined man and full of personality. A man who never settled for the word “No”. He was a hard-working man and worked several jobs at a time for many years. He was employed as a loom fixer with Springs Industries and retired after twenty plus years. Ernest also worked at a lawn mower repair shop, cut firewood, cut and hauled pulp wood, cleared and graded property for ponds, driveways, and more. He worked at those jobs in the morning and would go to work on second shift at the mill. As he aged, he became less mobile and could no longer work as he had. Even at the age of 88, his goal was to have therapy and go back to work to help his son, Tony. He loved to give away peaches and tomatoes to his family, friends, neighbors, as well as his doctors and nurses.

Ernest was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly Sue Griggs O’Neal, his brothers - Jess, Jim, Enoch, and June; sisters - Alice, Cornelia “Neet”, and Lou.

Ernest is survived by his daughter, Tina (Tommy) Deese; his son Tony (Susan) O’Neal; three granddaughters, Courtney (Ray) Garrison, Lanie O’Neal (Ryan) and Lacie O’Neal (Chance); two great-grandsons - Carson and Rhett Garrison; and many nieces and nephews.  

The Celebration of Life service for Mr. O’Neal will be 1:00 pm Saturday, February 4, 2023, at Miller Rivers Caulder Funeral Home, officiated by Dr. Huey Mills and Rev. John “Bootsie” Griggs, lll.  Burial will follow in the Griggs Family Cemetery in Patrick, SC.

The family will receive friends from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm, one hour prior to the service.

Location: Miller Rivers Caulder Funeral Home @ 318 E Main St, Chesterfield, SC 29709