Ex HoA Speaker Willock & Rev Dr Lennard unveil headstone for late fmr Premier O’Neal
It was also an occasion where, four years after the burial, a headstone was unveiled at Hon O’Neal’s Mausoleum located at Lee Road, South Valley in the Ninth District.
The late first Premier represented that district for some 40 years [1975-2015]. He died on November 11, 2019, and had the second state funeral in the Virgin Islands’ history on December 11, 2019.
The first state funeral was for the late Chief Minister H. Lavity Stoutt (R1).
Small but dedicated crowd
On hand today was the District Representative and Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) who pushed to bring closure to this matter, along with two of Mr O’Neal’s daughters Mrs Esther P. O’Neal-Wheatley, and Abigail O’Neal aka ‘Abby’.
Also on hand was Mr Ian S. Smith, who gave tributes about his fond memories of Mr O’Neal. Mr Smith is also a board member of the Mr and Mrs Ralph T. O’Neal Foundation.
Also on hand was Mr O'Neal's long-time Virgin Gorda driver and friend, Frankly Penn Sr aka ‘Rasta’
The headstone was unveiled by former House of Assembly Speaker Julian Willock (who was the Speaker at the time of the state funeral and organising chairman), along with Rev Dr Steve S. Lennard, Pastor of the Church of God (Holiness) in North Sound.
Both Mr Willock and Dr Lennard gave tributes to the late Premier.
Mr Willock noted that he was happy to have been invited to join Hon Wheatley and others to remember the late former premier and noted that "our heroes and sheroes in life or in death must be treated with high regards.”
For his part, Rev Dr Lennard noted the sacrifices made by Hon O’Neal and his political astuteness over his years in and out of office. He said generations yet unborn will read about the works of Hon O’Neal.
His legacy lives on
Both of his daughters also give tributes, along with Hon Wheatley who spoke about the lasting legacy of the later Member Emeritus.
Before the unveiling of the headstone, his daughter Abby laid a wreath in recognition of what would have been her father’s 90th birthday.
Prayers were offered by Madam Rev Celina Walton-Charles, a Methodist Minister.
The short ceremony was chaired by Mr Andrew L. St. Hilaire, a member of the state funeral organising committee in 2019, who also spoke fondly of the late Premier.
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