She was preceded in death by both of her parents, her brother Harold, sister Frances, daughter Beverly Ann, special niece Diane Louise, grandson Randy, granddaughters Whitney, Kathy, and Miya, and son-in-law Herman Williams.
Florene married Felix “Buddy” O’Neal in 1940, and to this union seven children were born. Florene worked for the U. S. Treasury Department where she retired in 1987 after 33 years of service. She was a devout member of the Catholic Church and was a faithful member of Risen Christ Church and most recently St. Monica Catholic Church. Florene was also a very active member of senior citizen groups at Sycamore Groves and Seton Center.
Florene lived a very active and full life, shopping and traveling across the country with various church groups, as well as visiting her children and their families in various states. She once visited Jerusalem and the River Jordan with her mother, and she took many trips to Arusha, Tanzania in East Africa to visit her son Pete and his family. Upon returning from her trips to Tanzania, Florene would participate in expos and exhibits around Kansas City displaying authentic African artifacts, clothing, and artwork she collected on her visits. Her last trip to Tanzania was in 2003 at the age of 83 years old.
As the matriarch of the O’Neal family, Florene left a beautiful legacy that will live on for many years, as she is survived by her children Felix “Pete” O’Neal (Charlotte) of Arusha, Tanzania; Patricia Williams of Chesterfield, MO; Gary O’Neal (Jublatee) of Lee’s Summit, MO; Gayle Graves of Columbia, MD; Janice High (Ardis) of Kansas City, MO; and Brian “Charlie” O’Neal (Mafutari) of Kansas City, MO. Florene is also survived by 26 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, 9 great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends that loved her dearly.
A Visitation will be held from 11:00am to 12:00pm on Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at St. Monica Catholic Church, 1616 Paseo Boulevard, Kansas City, Missouri 64108. A Funeral Service will follow at 12:00pm.
Interment will be at 1:30pm on Wednesday, March 7th at Leavenworth National Cemetery, 150 Muncie Road, Leavenworth, Kansas 66048; (913) 758-4105.
