Elton Martin O'Neal

The Celebration of Life Service for Mr. O'Neal will be live streamed on the Facebook Page of Fisher Memorial Funeral Parlor.

FACE MASKS ARE STRONGLY URGED!!!

Elton Martin O’Neal, of Durham, NC, peacefully transitioned to his eternal home on September 16, 2025. Born to Reuben "Dupe" and Nekoda “Polly” O’Neal, he was raised in Durham’s West End and graduated from the Hillside High School Class of 1969. He continued his educationat North Carolina Central University, where he began his career in public education as a bus driver while completing his undergraduate studies. He went on to earn both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education. While at NCCU, he pledged Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. through the Tau Psi chapter in the fall of 1970.

Elton devoted his life to education, beginning as a 6th-grade teacher and later serving in many leadership roles, including Assistant Principal at Little River, Instructional Supervisor in Durham Public Schools, and the inaugural Principal of Lakeview School. Throughout his career and even into retirement, he faithfully served at schools across Durham, including Mangum, Eastway, Holton, Merrick-Moore, Global Scholars Academy, Riverside, Y.E. Smith, Neal, Lakeview, Little River, Eno Valley, Durham School of the Arts, Bethesda, and Jordan High School. He was also a devoted Deacon at Morehead Avenue Baptist Church, where he often spent Sunday afternoons visiting the sick and delivering communion.

Elton is survived by his wife of almost 51 years, Myrtle; daughters, Dr. Kendra Torianne O’Neal and Kellie Juvee O’Neal; grandson, Joel O’Neal Tanner; siblings, Eileen O’Neal, Ellis O’Neal (Helen), Dr. Eunice O’Neal Sanders (Carlton), and former Mayor and Honorable Judge Elaine O’Neal Barnes (Mike); a special cousin, Terence O’Neal (Sandra); and beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Jillian-Rey Catherine Williams. He will be remembered for his faith, love of family, dedication to education, daily discipline as a runner, and his well-known sweet tooth — as he would say, “cookies, cakes, and pies — in that order.”

In lieu of flowers, please make a tax-deductible contribution to The Tau Psi Endowed Scholarship or any fund at NCCU.  Give online via  https://www.nccu.edu/institutional-advancement/giving-online or make checks payable to;
 
NCCU Foundation Inc.
PO Box 19363
Durham, NC 27707
 
Please be sure to click the box designated “I would like to dedicate this gift” or if giving via check, on the memo line please include“In memory/honor of Elton O’Neal”.

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