O’Neal Fornville Jr., the youngest of three children born to the union of the late O’Neal Fornville Sr. and Edna L. Fornville, was born December 10, 1947. He peacefully passed away on the afternoon of Friday, December 23, 2022 following a battle with end stage kidney disease. He was preceded in death by his parents and his older siblings, Richard and Delores. Of note, his mother birthed him at home and he weighed in at just over 10 pounds.
O’Neal matriculated through Norfolk Public Schools and finished at Booker T. Washington High School in 1965. He played recreational sports including basketball and football.
As a child, O’Neal often helped out at his father’s barbershop. He gained work experience in various roles, including work for Sears Roebuck and Company and Sandler Foods, where he found great success in sales and ultimately long distance truck driving.
O’Neal loved cars and travel, and he loved the road. He memorized the routes, the exits, and the mile-markers, which proved helpful in keeping up with his children as they travelled. One of his favorite questions was “WHERE YOU AT?” And by that he requested the specific location of anyone he was speaking with.
Throughout his career he received numerous commendations related to perfect attendance and top performance. He retired from truck driving in 2010 and, in time, he became more involved, directly and indirectly, with his grandchildren, keeping up with them and their day to day activities when possible.
O’Neal enjoyed good music and made it a point to listen to it as often as he could. Oftentimes, he could frequently be found listening to gospel classics such as Mary Don’t You Weep and Lord, Remember Me. Among his favorite artists are Sam Cooke, the Swan Silvertones, the Clark Sisters, and Michael Jackson. He also enjoyed collecting rare coins and other pieces of currency which he kept in a locked box for special occasions.
A significant turning point in O’Neal’s life was surviving an open heart bypass surgery in 2013 where he was kept unconscious for 2 days. He made a number of drastic changes to his life as a testament to his renewed faith in Almighty God. It was amazing to see him end relationships and habits that threatened to destroy him. He committed to knowing and doing the scriptures in the latter part of his life. In the last three years of his life, he invited family over for dinner every weekend, where he would share hilarious and often unbelievable family stories. He had a remarkable memory as the family historian.
As his illness progressed, he leveraged technology to remain connected via Facebook posting, texting, and Facebook messenger with his relatives and friends on daily basis. In some ways, it could be said that he lived vicariously through his loved ones. O’Neal was especially proud of his children and grandchildren and he made it a point to share his joy with them and with others often.
He leaves to cherish his memory three children, O’Neal III (Vickie), Blair (Bashiri), and Ronald; five grandchildren, Victoria, Nature, Vianna, Kweli-Asani, and Kaeden, a special niece, Angie, a special friend and caretaker, Gladys M. Howell, ex-wife, Barbara Fornville, and a host of cousins and friends.
O’Neal held in high regard his caretakers including his Sentara cardiology and urology teams, and his primary care physician.
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Deaconess Kimberly Davis, SCBC says
December 31, 2022 at 11:41 amSleep in heavenly peace Sir O’Neal Fornville, Jr.🌹
Elder Sheryl Smalls, Second Calvary Baptist Church says
December 31, 2022 at 1:39 pmMy sincere thoughts and prayers are with the family of Brother Fornville.
Tenesia Coleman Johnson says
January 2, 2023 at 2:36 pmFrom The Coleman Family ..Our Sincere Condolences to you and your family in the loss of your father..
He was great friend to our mother and family..May in Rest In Heavenly Peace
May you find comfort and peace knowing that he was loved by All who knew him ..🙏🏽
Berrnice G Langley says
January 3, 2023 at 9:15 amSharing My Condolences to Your Family and Friends
May God’s love uplift your hearts with comfort and strength, now and in the days to come. O’Neal’s sincere bonds of friendship and care for others was demonstrated in his words, thoughts and deeds. He is now resting with our Saviour and will be greatly missed.
Bernice Langley and Family
Gladys Gray says
January 3, 2023 at 6:31 pmTo The Fornville Family. Sending our condolences to your family. O’Neal will be missed so much. It was a real joy to talk to him. RIP O’NEAL
Tony Berrios says
January 4, 2023 at 10:48 pmPrayers of comfort and healing for the entire family.
God bless everyone and be with you as you continue on such a beautiful legacy.
Elsie says
January 5, 2023 at 8:23 amMy deepest condolences to the family/ friends, he was a very kind, thoughtful neighbor, he loved his little furbaby, Sassy, my thoughts and prayers for Ms.Gladys..
Judith Henderson says
January 6, 2023 at 11:40 amMy heartfelt condolences and prayers are sent to the family of this beautiful soul who I often enjoyed conversations with on Facebook. I will miss him. But what I do know….is that it is well. I know for sure where he’s at now. Sitting at the table of the lord where the feast of the lord is surely going on!!! Family, I pray that you will find comfort in knowing that he’s free. All burdens gone!!! Forever young. What a legacy he’s left!!! Amen.
Joyce Huskey says
January 6, 2023 at 3:48 pmHeartfelt condolences to O’Neil,lll, Blair, Barbara, Angie, the grands, Ronald, and Gladys. He will be missed. May he RIH.
Collene Rogers says
January 14, 2023 at 10:24 amPrayers and condolences to the Fornville Family for your loss.
The fond memories of your lives together will forever be with you.