Reverend Ernest O’Neal

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Posted by: Glover Funeral Home
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Date: Feb 23 2022 2:06 PM

Reverend Ernest O’Neal, longtime resident of Dothan, passed away Tuesday, February 22, 2022 at Extendicare Health Care Center. He was 84.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 25, 2022 at Memphis Baptist Church with Reverend Jim Tate and Reverend John Bush officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with Glover Funeral Home directing. The family will receive friends at the church from 10:00 until 10:45 a.m. on Friday prior to service time.

Flowers are being accepted or memorials may be made to Memphis Baptist Church, “Missions” 4595 Eddins Road, Dothan, AL, 36301.

Rev. O’Neal was born August 11, 1937 in George County, Mississippi to Kermit and Lois Flurry O’Neal and lived the early years of his life there. He was a 1962 graduate of Baptist Bible Institute.  

A native of Mississippi, he retired from the pastorate at Memphis on March 23, 2008. Having served six churches in Georgia, Alabama, and Ohio over a period of 13 years, Ernest came to Memphis in August of 1977.

During his 31-year tenure, "Bro. O" as he was affectionately called by the congregation, led the church in unprecedented growth. With his heart for evangelism, Memphis grew spiritually and numerically. The church grew from a total church membership in 1977 of 481 to 1408 in 2008. He baptized 959 new Christians and received 867 new church members by letter or statement. He challenged the congregation to develop a deeper heart for missions and led various mission groups from Memphis to Montana, Nigeria, Honduras, Nicaragua, Brazil, Venezuela, and Guatemala.

Under Brother O’s leadership, an expansion of church facilities was accomplished to meet the needs of the community. In addition to renovations in all of the original buildings, a new sanctuary was built in 1980 and in 1995 a multipurpose Family Life Center was erected. On May 24, 2009, Ernest O’Neal was named Pastor Emeritus of Memphis Baptist Church.

Reverend O’Neal is predeceased by his parents, his wife of 65 years, Elsie Irena O’Neal and a sister, Linda O’Neal.

He is survived by  four children, Phyllis Hall of Dothan, Rena Johnson (Ken) of Destin, FL, Anthony O’Neal (Diane) of Dothan and K.O. O’Neal (Lisa) of Dothan; six grandchildren; several great grandchildren; a brother, Ottis O’Neal (Bobbie) and a sister, Betty Keane.

Active pallbearers will be the F.A.I.T.H. Riders.

Honorary pallbearers will be past and present deacons of Memphis Baptist Church.

Glover Funeral Home of Dothan has been entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 699-3888. Please sign the guestbook online at www.gloverfuneral.com

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