Joshua William O'Neal

A funeral service will be held at Smith & Williams Funeral Home/Kemp, located at 4889 Princess Anne Road, Virginia Beach, VA, 23462, United States. The service is scheduled for January 17, 2026, starting at 10:00 am. The family will be available to receive friends prior to the service at 9:15 am.

Joshua was a resident of Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Josh O’Neal was a writer, teacher, and a friend. He graduated in 2007 from Spring Arbor University in Communications with emphasis In video production and professional writing. He then graduated from Regent University with his Master’s Degree in Fine Arts: Script and Screenwriting in 2010. Josh tried his hand in screenwriting but didn’t find his true passion until he started teaching at Liberty University.

Eleven years O’Neal taught at Liberty University Online. However, Josh wasn’t truly fulfilled until he started teaching in the Norfolk Public School system. O’Neal loved teaching the teens creating lifelong bonds with his students.

Josh was known to be a fierce friend to all his loved ones. Josh cultivated friendships all over the world. Josh’s humor broke down barriers and allowed people to feel comfortable. He loved all of his friends deeply. Josh’s deepest and most cherished relationship was with Jesus Christ.

Josh’s parents Keith Robert O’Neal and Bonnie Louise Turner met Josh in Heaven. Josh is survived by his loving wife Emily. O’Neal would say Emily was the best thing to happen to him besides Jesus. O’Neal is survived by his brothers Jayce (wife Erica) and Justin. Also surviving him are Josh’s in laws and second parents Roger and Sylvia Handy, Aunt Carolyn, Uncle Maynard, Brothers Wesley (wife Zhanara) and Marshall (wife Alison). Josh loved his 11 nieces and nephews so dearly.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Crisis Pregnancy Center of Tidewater, Inc may be made in memory of Josh at https://cpcfriends.org/

Also, donations of school supplies and individually wrapped pre-packaged snack items will be collected at Josh’s service to benefit local students in the classrooms.