Steve O'Neal

Steve O'Neal, age 74, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, July 5th, 2026. Visitation with the family will be held on Thursday, July 9th at Belk Funeral Home from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. A funeral service will be held Friday, July 10th at 11:00 am in the Belk Funeral Home Chapel with burial following at Grove Hill Cemetery. 

A lifelong resident of Darlington, Steve was born on August 2, 1951 and was the youngest son of the late Carol S. O’Neal, Sr. and Frances Sparrow O. Edwards. He was married to Joanne Rogers O’Neal (who he lovingly referred to as his Joebaby), for 53 years. He told everyone he knew that she was the love of his life. He began working at Nucor Steel at the age of 18 and retired after 51 years. He also served his country in the National Guard. 

Steve never met a stranger. He lit up the room with his upbeat spirit and smiling face, and always had a funny story to tell. He was known for his phrases like “dats right!” and greetings of “hey PAL!” whenever he saw an old friend. He loved vacationing with his family at the beach and taking RV adventures with his wife. He lived an active life and exercised regularly at the gym, even taking Zumba classes on occasion. 

Steve experienced complications following COVID that led him on a journey around the nation to regain his quality of life. His determination and sheer will to live brought a whole host of medical professionals on that journey, as they found novel treatments to help him live life to the fullest. Summer Powers, CRNP, Dr. Jordan Vaughn, MD, ABIM from MedHelp in Birmingham, Alabama, and Jordan Whitson, MD from Duke University Hospital were instrumental in improving his quality of life. Steve never stopped looking for ways to do the things he loved, and recently even traveled to Las Vegas to see the Eagles in concert at the Sphere. 

Steve leaves behind his loving wife, Joanne, children Aimee (Brad) Knight of Darlington, and Matthew (Danielle) O’Neal of Florence; grandchildren Jamie Knight of Darlington, William O’Neal of Anchorage AK, Alexander Knight of Darlington, Mason O’Neal and Zoe Laine O’Neal, both of Florence; siblings Linda (David) King and Faye Lewis, all of Darlington, and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. He also leaves behind his beloved puppy, Sophie. 

He was preceded in death by his son, Timothy Stephen O’Neal, his parents and siblings Bobby O’Neal, Ester Jean O’Neal, Roy O’Neal and Autrey O’Neal. 

The family would also like to thank Allison Fancher, DPT, Jess Sanders, FNP-C, Lasheena Douglas, APRN, and Tracie Woodward, NP, as well as the doctors and nurses at McLeod Hospital’s Progressive ICU for their encouragement, compassion and care. 

Memorials may be made to the Microvascular Research Foundation for Spike Protein and Long COVID at https://mvresearch.org/donate.