He was born on June 15, 1953 in Manchester, Georgia to Melvin O’Neal Sr. and Jacqueline Rice O’Neal. After graduating from Shades Valley High School, Mel attended the University of Southern Mississippi. He was a member of North Shelby Baptist Church.
On February 26, 2011, in Marion, Alabama, he was united in holy matrimony to Janet Ware. Mel was self-employed and he owned and operated Mel’s Hauling Service. He was an avid deer hunter and fisherman and loved the outdoors.
Mel is preceded in death by his parents, Melvin O’Neal and Jackie O’Neal.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 10 years, Jan O’Neal; his children, Ashley O’Neal Adams and Carey O’Neal Locklar (Nathan); eleven grandchildren; his sister, Tammy O’Neal Towns (Rick); and two step-children, Kristy Montgomery (Kent); and Becca Leslie (Ernie).
Visitation will be held at Ridout’s Southern Heritage Funeral Home & Cemetery in Pelham, Alabama on Saturday, September 11, 2021 from 1:00 – 2:00 pm with a graveside service following at 2:00 pm.