Rosa Lee O'Neal

June 3, 1928 - January 29, 2020

Rosa Lee O’Neal, age 91 years, a former resident of the Buncombe community, passed away Wednesday evening, January 29, 2020, at 11:05 PM at Hillview Health Care Center in Vienna. Rosa Lee, affectionately known to many of her family and friends as Rosie, was born June 3, 1928 in Johnson County Illinois. She was the daughter of Robert O. Elkins and Lenora “Pearl” (Dotson) Elkins. On May 5, 1945, Rosa Lee was united in marriage to James Lavern O’Neal in Vienna, Illinois. He preceded her in death on September 11, 1982. Rosa Lee is survived by: her son – James Gary (Vicki) O’Neal of Buncombe, along with their family: Keri Lynn (Steve) Tanner and their children – Raelynn, Lucas, and Ali; Ryan Matthew (Sara) O’Neal and their sons – Matthew and Eli; and Tamara Renee (Glenn Charles) Wright and children – Tristin, Tyler, Brianna, Thomas, Aiden, and Isabella; her daughter – Sherry (Robert) Belcher of Buncombe, along with their family: Michelle (Rick) Petermeyer and their children – Lauren and Zach; Melanie (John) Derry and their daughter Lilly; Tarea (Damon) Nejmanowski and their children – Aiden and Zosia; Mareshah (Stewart) Priddy and their children- Peter and Bennett Ann; and Bethany (Marshall) Dunn and their children – Mason and Emery Beth; and her sister – Molly Adams of Cypress. In addition to her parents and husband, Rosa Lee was preceded in death by: a grandson-in-law – Mitch Wagner and a brother-in-law – Billy Adams. Rosa Lee was a homemaker. She enjoyed quilting and socializing with the ladies of the Buncombe quilting club. She also embroidered and handcrafted many crochet pieces as well as sewing for her family through the years. Rosa Lee also tended her vegetable garden and enjoyed raising all kinds of flowers. Rosa Lee also had served as a cook at the Buncombe Grade School. She was a faithful and active member of the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church near Buncombe as long as her health permitted. Rosa Lee had also been a former volunteer for the Goreville Ministerial Alliance store. A service honoring the life of Rosa Lee O’Neal will be conducted Saturday afternoon, February 8, 2020, at 2 PM at the Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 5 Mt. Zion Lane, Buncombe, Illinois. Pastor John Yeo will officiate. Burial will be in the Mt. Zion Cemetery. Visitation will be held Saturday, February 8, 2020, from 12 Noon – 2 PM at Mt. Zion Church. Memorials may be made to the Mt. Zion Cemetery, c/o Owen Lee Webb, 2190 Mt. Zion Road, Vienna, IL 62995.