Martha Schell O'Neal Obituary

Martha Marie Schell O'Neal, 87, of Macon, Georgia departed onto eternal life on April 7, 2024, peacefully. A funeral service to honor her life will be held on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at 11:00 AM at Mikado Baptist Church; 6751 Houston Rd Macon Georgia, 31216. The interment will follow at Glen Haven Memorial Gardens. Pastor Rusty Smith and Ed Chambless will officiate the services. The family invites friends to join them for a time of visitation on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, from 6:00-8:00 PM at Fairhaven Funeral Home.

Mrs. O'Neal, elder daughter of Elmer Durwood Schell and Marie Theresa Wright Schell, was born in Macon on June 23, 1936, and lived in Macon most of her life. She attended Bibb County public schools, graduating from A.L. Miller Senior High School in 1955 where she was President of Miller Thrift Bank, a member of the National Beta Honor Society, and the Honor Group. She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Eckerd College, and graduate credits towards a Master's Degree in Business administration at City College.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and a sister, Virginia Ann Schell (Ginger).

Mrs. O'Neal married her loving husband, Charles Cullen O'Neal on January 1, 1956, and they celebrated 52 years together until his death in 2008. They enjoyed traveling and visited all 50 states, most Canadian providences, Mexico, and 37 European and Asian countries. She was an avid Georgia Bulldog and Atlanta Braves enthusiast and loved reading and fishing.

Mrs. O'Neal had a 38-year distinguished career with the Air Force as a civilian, beginning in 1958 at Robins Air Force Base and ended with her retirement from the National Guard Joint Staff, Washington D.C. in 1996 as Chief Acquisition Contracting Division. Her contracting career took her and her husband to Munich, Germany, where she was an administrative Contracting Officer and representative for NATO in the acquisition of 18 NATO AEWC aircraft from The Boing Corporation 1980-1985 and the USAF Administrative Contracting Officer for the United Kingdom 1985-1989. Mrs. O'Neal was awarded 1984 Headquarters United States Air Force Outstanding Contracting Civilian Central, R&D, Systems or Contract Administration for her exemplary work in the NATO AWACS Program.

She was a long-time member of Mikado Baptist Church where she was a member of the Golden Year's Program, Sunday School, and Ladies Bible Study. She was a former teacher in the Primary, Junior, and Adult Departments. Because of her deep interest in history and heritage, she was a member of the Nathaniel Macon Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy.

Survivors include daughters, Karen O. Folsom (Rusty) and Terri O. Hobbs (Glenn) of Macon, and Gayle O. Brown of Polk City, Florida; eight grandchildren, Mandy R. Veronee (Travis) of Fort Valley, Linda M. Kitchens (Ben) of Kathleen, James G. Revell II (Stephanie) of Gray, C. Kyle Brown (Amanda) of Bakersfield CA, Kourtney B. Rusk (Jared) of Auburndale FL, Ryan K. Brown (Heather) of Lakeland FL, Kristen H. McCurry (Luke) of Atlanta, and Justin R. Hobbs (Maddie) of Macon; ten great grandchildren, two sisters-in-law, Shirley O'Neal Justice and Debbie White Cupp of Macon; and several nieces and nephews.

The family asks that you graciously make donations to Mikado Baptist Church in Martha's memory.

Friends may sign the online register at http://www.fairhavenmacon.com. Fairhaven Funeral Home and Cremation Services has the honor of being entrusted with arrangements.