Kenneth Jerome O'neal

Kenneth O'neal

Private services for Mr. Kenneth Jerome “Kenny” O’Neal, of Dublin, will be held on Thursday, April 30, 2020, at 11 AM at the graveside in the Dudley Memorial Cemetery in Dublin. Reverend Ira Edwards, Jr., will deliver the eulogy. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, you are invited to join via live stream on the Dudley Funeral Home facebook page. Public viewing will be on Wednesday, 1-6 PM at Dudley Funeral Home.

Mr. O’Neal began his life on January 30, 1959, as the son of the late Mother Mary Lena Brantley and Ethro O’Neal, Jr., of East Dublin, Georgia. Kenny, a well-rounded student, excelled in sports as Most Valuable Player in football, basketball, and in softball and was a member of the Class of 1978 at East Laurens High School. After high school, he received a scholarship to attend Brewton-Parker College in Mount Vernon, Georgia. Later, he decided to enlist in the United States Army for three years and later moved to Louisiana. After returning home, he worked as an officer for the East Dublin Police Department before his six-year employment at Allen Bradley Manufacturing Company. He was asked by the late Councilman Roscoe Brower to join the Laurens County Recreation Department where he served as Assistant Director for over fifteen years before the department merged with the Dublin-Laurens County Recreation Authority. He was very passionate about his work and he touched the lives of many Dublin-Laurens County youth Many of the parents shared how they felt secure as Kenny transported their children to and from various competitions during summer events. In addition, he worked part-time at the Dublin Mall for almost three years with the Security Staff before his health declined. Kenny’s favorite hobbies included traveling with his friends, listening to music, and spending time with family.

At an early age, Kenny joined Williams Chapel Missionary Baptist Church and later accepted Christ as his personal Savior. Then, he joined Jordan Grove Church of God in Christ where he was active in the Brotherhood Prayer Ministry and willingly served on the Pastor-Aide Food Committee. He had a quiet demeanor but believed in the power of prayer. With the help of God, Brother Kenny had a strong determination to remain hopeful and optimistic throughout his challenging health issues and often shared that God was his main source of strength. One of his favorite songs was “My Hallelujah Belongs to YOU!” His earthly journey ended on Friday, April 24, 2020. Now, he has his complete healing and resting in Christ Jesus!

Kenny was preceded in death by his parents, Mary Lena Brantley and Ethro O’Neal, Jr., his youngest son, Kenyardo O’Neal, his brother, Glenn Hill, maternal grandparents, Eugene and Georgia Mae Bell-Duffie, paternal grandparents, Ethro and Lille Mae O’Neal, Sr., and by a brother-in-law, Fred Wright.

He leaves to cherish and to commemorate his fondest memories his loving and devoted wife of 24 years, Diann Edwards-O’Neal of Dublin, a devoted stepfather, Jimmy Brantley of East Dublin, his oldest son, Dennis Roberts-O’Neal (fiancé-Andrea) of Tampa, Florida, one sister, Jacqueline Wright of East Dublin, three brothers, Dale Lee and Jack Devero of Wrightsville, Georgia, and Bruce Hines of East Dublin, two precious granddaughters, Oryele Roberts-O’Neal of Tampa, Florida, and Kenyanna O’Neal of East Dublin, beloved aunt, De’Etta (Gary) Walker of East Dublin, devoted cousin, John Prosser of Atlanta, father and mother-in-law, Superintendent Ira and Mother Inez Edwards, Sr., five brothers-in-law, Alonzo (Carol) Edwards of Dublin, Elder Donald (Tina) Edwards of Atlanta, Stevie (Brenda) Edwards of Macon, Reverend Sheriff Ira (Teresa) Edwards, Jr., of Athens, and Anthony Glenn (Debbie) Edwards of Fredericksburg, Virginia, two sisters-in-law, Sharon (Elder Andrew) Blackwell of Dumphries, Virginia, and Patricia Edwards of Dublin, devoted and loyal friends, John Smith, Deacon Curtis Smith, Deacon Clinton Lowther, Reverend Roger Edwards, Elder Anthony Fields, and the Jordan Grove Brotherhood members, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and other dear friends.

Please send condolences via mail to 908 Robinhood Road, Dublin, Georgia 31021, or to Dudley Funeral Home, 617 E. Jackson Street, Dublin, Georgia 31021.

Services by Dudley Funeral Home of Dublin