Madella "Dolly" Faye O'Neal

Madella was born July 15, 1929 on a farm near Lexington, OK, the 7th of 9 children born in her family. She acquired her nickname, Dolly, at a young age because this was the name of her favorite farm horse on whose back she frequently rode. Dolly described herself as a “tomboy” and loved being outside, much preferring the outside chores such as hoeing cotton and corn, and milking cows. She attended Lexington High School – graduating in 1947 with great success in the classroom - as valedictorian- and also on the basketball court- being named All-State guard. She would often get that impish grin when she described her fierce competitive tactics on the basketball court! Dolly was recruited to play professional basketball for the Chicago Redheads, but could not gain her mother’s approval for the required dying of her hair red necessary to play on this team. She was granted an academic scholarship to college, but the extra expenses were beyond her means, so she started working at a bank in Norman, OK.

While in Norman, she met Jesse O’Neal, who was an Engineering Student at OU. They married on September 6, 1951. Jesse’s job took them to many places in the United States and Canada. Along the way, they had three children, and in each of the places they lived, Dolly had a special ability to cultivate life long friendships, and an outstanding garden! Their last professional move was to Casper, Wyoming in 1976. Here they settled until retirement and Dolly had a re-awakening of her banking career, working at Hilltop National Bank for over 15 years where she garnered several “outstanding employee” awards. In fact, when she retired, they hired three people to do the work she had been doing!

With retirement, she and Jesse returned to Oklahoma, initially living near Lake of the Arbuckles, enjoying fishing and family. They also were able to travel a great deal with trips to Europe, Australia, Hawaii, and numerous fishing trips. Eventually they returned to Norman, and Dolly was able to return to CrossPointe Church as she had been a founding member of this church before her marriage. As long as was able, she loved attending her Sunday school class, with many women whom she had known since high school.

Dolly was known for her gardening, her delicious dill pickles, her peach cobbler and her chicken and dumplings. After 54 years of marriage, Jesse died in 2005. Following his death, Dolly endured with grace the onset of dementia and spent the last 6 years of her life at Arbor House Reminisce Center. Even at Arbor House, she planted flowers and was known for helping her fellow residents as long as she was able. The family is truly grateful for all the loving providers who helped her through these last years. She passed away September 3, 2016.

She is survived by her older sister Wanda Odom, and her three children Michael J O’Neal, Peggy R Thurston, and Linda O Eckert, 7 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and numerous other extended family members.