Franklin Benjamin O'Neil

Franklin Benjamin O’Neil, affectionately known as “Frankie,” was born on April 20, 1950, in Columbia, South Carolina, the son of the late Charles and Frizell Keller O’Neil. He departed this life on Saturday, March 29, 2025.

Frankie graduated from C. A. Johnson High School and Booker T. Washington Trade School, Richland County, Columbia, South Carolina. In his early years he worked for SC State Hospital (SCDMH) and SC Mental Retardation (Midlands Center). Later, he decided to follow his passion as a Certified Brick Mason working throughout the Columbia area and the city of Brooklyn, New York until his health started to decline. He was so talented in his trade that his parents entrusted him to brick their home and design the front yard driveway. In addition, he laid the cornerstone for Zion Canaan Baptist Church that still stands today.

During his childhood years he became a member of Zion Canaan Baptist Church. He was the Great Grandson of the Founders, Frank I., and Phyllis Lawhorn Anderson. Frankie was known for his best acting in a play called “The Slab Town Convention” a play known by many, coordinated by Mrs. Esther Ruth Sims and the late Mrs. Yvonne Campbell. He visited the sick and shut-in with his wife Deloris and delivered Meals on Wheels with his sister Margaret. 

 He was a Master Mason in St. Paul Lodge #3, Elgin, SC. He had a great love for baseball and played for the State Park Hawks along with other hobbies such as fishing, swimming, and playing cards. His two favorite sayings were “I carry the church in my heart” and “ain’t mad at you.” He had a heart to give, and he did it from the bottom of his heart.

Franklin Benjamin O’Neil leaves to cherish his fond memories his wife of 53 years, Deloris Buggs O’Neil; two sons, LaMar O’Neil (Jenice Dreher) and Marlon Tyree O’Neil (Lorena), both of Columbia, SC; six grandchildren, Angela O’Neil, Marlon Tyree, Jr., Jasmine Dreher, Cedric O’Neil, Jacob Charles O’Neil and Alexis Dreher of Columbia, SC; four sisters, Charlie Mae O’Neil (John) Cornelius, Margaret O’Neil (Anthony) Davis, of Columbia, SC; Christine O’Neil (Rev. Dr. Leon) Winn of Sumter, SC, and Mary O’Neil Canty of Houston, TX; one daughter-in-law,  Lorena O’Neil;  three sisters-in-law, Carnella Ellison, Janice Buggs and Connie Buggs; five brothers-in-law, John Cornelius, Dea. Anthony Davis, Thomas Ellison, Roderick Buggs and Rev. Dr. Leon Winn. Special nieces and nephews, Kenneth Cornelius, Ira Davis, LaShon Morrow, Lisa Buggs, Delora Kinlaw,  Keolia  Ellison, and Brian Canty of Columbia, SC, Reginald Buggs of Suffolk, VA, Candace Canty Bailey of Houston, TX and Payton Cornelius of Atlanta, GA and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, all of whom will dearly miss him.

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