She was born in the Dry Hill Community in Lauderdale County, Tennessee August 13, 1926 where she was raised.
She worked at Casual Corner and Kroger in Memphis, Tennessee for many years.
She was preceded in death by her son, William Thomas Cox, her parents, Tom and Ila Mai Clay, her sisters, Nina Stewart, Altie Mai Blount, and a brother, Joe Evans Clay.
Oneida Laverne is survived by her daughter, Shelia McNeely (John) of Pensacola Florida, daughter-in-law, Paula Cox of Byhalia, MS, granddaughter, Maren Morphew of Pensacola Florida, three grandsons; Michael Cox and Joseph Cox of Byhalia, Mississippi, Tyler McNeely (Diedra) of Pensacola Florida, four great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.
She is also survived by her brother, Jimmy D. Clay (Yvonne), of Ripley, Tennessee. A gathering of family and friends will take place on Friday, October 8, 2021 from 1-2pm with a funeral service immediately following at 2pm all at Family Funeral Care, 4925 Summer Ave., Memphis, TN 38122. Interment will follow at Ripley Memorial Gardens, 2632 TN-209, Ripley, TN 38063.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.FamilyFuneralMemphis.com for the Kelley family.