Helen O'Neal

Helen F. O’Neal, age 86, passed away on December 15, 2021 in Gulfport, MS.

She was preceded in death by her husband Orville “Ken” O’Neal; parents Jeff and Louvine Fayard; granddaughter Michelle Williamson and seven siblings.

She is survived by five children, Kenny O’Neal of Long Beach, Louvine Williamson (Michael) of Port Orange, FL, John Jay O’Neal (Tammie) of Gulfport, Joe O’Neal of Gulfport, Liz Weiss (Bill) of Plano, TX; one brother, Lionel Fayard (Sybil) of Gulfport; 15 grandchildren: Jennifer O’Neal Drake, Julia O’Neal Anderson, Josephine O’Neal Johnson, Joseph David O’Neal, Michael O’Neal, Sara Lynn Henderson, Jada Phillips, Amber Williamson, Natalie Corley, Nichole O’Neal, Shaunah O’Neal Snyder, Chase O’Neal, Holden O’Neal; Rachel Weiss, Jessica Weiss; 24 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

Helen graduated from Cathedral High School, Natchez, MS in 1953 and was a longtime resident of Gulfport. She was a member of St. Ann Catholic Church in Lizanna and loved family, gardening, crafts and traveling. She was also proudly the first woman Alderman in Ocean Springs in 1980. (est)

Everyone who knew Mother and anyone younger than 65 had the honor and privilege of calling her Nana. She was everyone’s Nana. Her Catholic faith was strong and she raised 5 kids on a Master Sargent salary. They retired to her beloved Gulf Coast in 1973 and moved to Gulfport in 1994. Family was Everything.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021 at 11:00 AM with visitation starting at 10:00 at St. Ann Catholic Church. The committal service following Mass will be private and held at Long Beach City Cemetery.

Riemann Family Funeral Home, Gulfport served the family.

www.RiemannFamily.com