Martha Jane (Me-J) Mitchiner O’Neal passed away peacefully at home on February 18, 2024.  She was born on October 29, 1931, to Ethel Redmond Mitchiner and Thomas O’Kelly Mitchiner and grew up in Oak Grove, Louisiana.  She graduated from Gulf Park High School in Gulfport, Mississippi where she made many lifelong friends. After high school Me-J attended Louisiana Tech University where she was a member of Kappa Delta sorority.  She developed endearing friendships with her KD sisters and was active in the alumni association for many years.

Me-J is survived by her husband of 71 years, John Arch O’Neal, Jr.; four children, Thomas Mitchiner O’Neal (Gay Maxwell Adams), Martha Jane O’Neal McAfee (Lawrance Wiley McAfee), Jo Ann O’Neal Brueggeman (George Henry Brueggeman, Jr.), Pamela Redmond O’Neal Rundle (Philip Sterling Rundle); ten grandchildren, Amy Adams O’Neal Walthall (Zach), Martha Jane O’Neal Johnson (Blake), Claire Campbell O’Neal Haddox (Jake), Kelly Mitchiner O’Neal, Mary Lawrance McAfee, Mitchiner Wiley McAfee, George Henry Brueggeman III (Melissa), John O’Neal Brueggeman (Samantha), William Redmond Brueggeman, Parker Haswell Browne, and six great-grandchildren  .

Me-J was a member of the Junior Guild of Ruston, the Lincoln Parish Museum Board, and was a Girl Scout leader. She was a member of Alabama Presbyterian Church and was a Deacon and Sunday school teacher for many years.  She received great joy in these endeavors.

John and Me-J started the tutoring program STAIR (Start The Adventure In Reading) at First Presbyterian Church in Ruston in 1996.  Me-J tutored the second grade students for years and delighted in the connections she made with the children.  She was passionate about her work with STAIR and firmly believed that if you teach a child to read, you improve their lives forever.

Me-J devoted her life to her husband, children, extended family, church and community. She was a gracious, warm and welcoming hostess as she delighted in entertaining family and friends over the years. She and John enjoyed traveling with friends and family, making many wonderful memories.  Me-J had a special love of dogs.  She owned several golden retrievers and inherited a special mutt, Otis. In her last few years she adopted Minnie, an affectionate cat, and spent many afternoons on the porch swing with her.

The family is grateful to all of the women who tenderly took care of their mother, especially Judi Michael; and also Cassandra Umeri, Kathryn Baker, and Kim Benton all of Benton Care, LLC.  The family also thanks the staff of Premier Hospice of Monroe, LLC for their kind and compassionate care the last several weeks. A special thank you to Clara Simmons who worked by Me-J’s side for 34 years.

Family and friends are invited to join the family at Alabama Presbyterian Church on February 21, 2024 at 2 p.m. for a celebration of Me-J’s life.  A reception will follow the service next door in the Family Life Center.  Arrangements are entrusted to Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston.  Donations may be sent to Alabama Presbyterian Church, 2091 Hwy 145 North, Choudrant, LA 71227; STAIR, 1545 State Street, New Orleans, LA 70118, www.stairnola.org and Nantz National Alzheimer Center, Houston Methodist Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 4384, Houston, Texas  77210-4384, www.houstonmethodist.org/giving.

Online condolences may be extended to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com.

Kilpatrick Funeral Homes – Ruston

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