Louise O'Neil

Canton – Louise Stamey O’Neil, 90, passed away on Sunday, February 12, 2023, at CarePartners Hospice Solace Center.

Louise was a native of Haywood County and a daughter of the late Otis and Elsie Wright Stamey.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Dexter O’Neil, who died in 2007; son, LeFaine O’Neil; daughter, Patricia Blaylock; two brothers, Bob and Carroll Stamey; and two sisters, Lois Stamey and Barbara Barns.  Louise was employed at Haywood Regional Medical Center and was entrusted with a great deal of responsibility and management.  She was a member of East Fork Baptist Church where she sang in the choir and served on the social committee.  Louise was famous for her banana pudding and home-cooked meals.  She loved crafts, especially floral arranging, crocheting, gardening, working jigsaw puzzles, and getting together with a group of friends to do beadwork making jewelry and Christmas ornaments.

She is survived by a daughter, Renee O’Neil Whitmire (Jim) of Fletcher; son-in-law, Phillip Blaylock of Canton; 3 grandchildren, Curtis Blaylock (Kim) of Fairview, Brad Blaylock of Canton, and Ashley Whitmire Sales (Chad) of Fairview; two great-grandchildren, Nathan Blaylock (Madison) and Garrett Blaylock of Fairview; several nieces and nephews; and a special cousin, Carolyn Smathers (Mike) and her son, Heath, whose support and assistance were truly valuable to her in her final years.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to all the staff at Fleshers Fairview Healthcare Center for their love and tender care.

A funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 16, 2023, at East Fork Baptist Church with the Reverend Mark Tice and Reverend Greg Cullen officiating.  Burial will follow at New Cruso Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 2:00 until 3:00 p.m. prior to the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to East Fork Baptist Church, 13175 Cruso Road, Canton, NC  28716.

The care of Mrs. O’Neil has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Canton.