Rose Blanton O'Neal

Rose Alice Blanton O'Neal, 82, of Arkadelphia, passed away Wednesday, March 2, 2016, at her home of natural causes.

Rose was born in Johnson City, Tennessee, to Dr. Martin Ernest and Sallie Mae Beall Blanton. The Blanton family moved to Pueblo, Colorado where Dr. Blanton worked for the U.S. Public Health Institute before locating to Jonesboro where he established a medical practice. When W.W. II started, most Jonesboro physicians were called to military duty. Dr. entered service as an Army Lieutenant and served on bases in San Antonio and Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

When W.W. II ended, the family settled back in Jonesboro and Rose started fifth grade. Rose was a member of the junior high and senior high school bands and was also a member of the Annie Camp basketball team which won the state tournament in her ninth grade year. Rose was a 1952 graduate of Jonesboro High School. Rose attended Baylor University for one year then transferred to Arkansas State College where she met Lewis O'Neal.

Rose and Lewis were married in 1955 and lived in Memphis and Jonesboro. In the fall of 1969, Arkansas State University began their nursing program and Rose was in the first graduating class and became a Registered Nurse. Rose spent her professional career at St. Bernards Medical Center, serving others on the floor, recovery room and emergency department.

Rose was a founding RN at the Jonesboro Church Health Center and continued to volunteer at the center following retirement. She was a member of First Baptist Church where she was a member of the choir and church care center team. Rose was a member of PEO International.

Survivors include two sons: Patrick Martin O'Neal (Linda Rodman) of Springdale, and Samuel Matthew O'Neal (Cindy) of Jonesboro;
one daughter, Mary Alice Matthews (William C. "Coak") of Arkadelphia;

5 grandchildren: Matthew O'Neal (Jessica), Williams Matthews, Sallie Matthews, Blanton Matthews, Jordan O'Neal; and
2 great grandchildren: Kaylie O'Neal and Samuel Lane O'Neal.

Funeral services will be held Saturday at 2:30 p.m. in Emerson Memorial Chapel with Rev. Bruce Venable and Rev. Ross Burton officiating. Burial will follow in Jonesboro Memorial Park.

Grandchildren will serve as active pallbearers.

Visitation will be Saturday from 1:30 p.m. until service time in the chapel.

For lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration be given to the Jonesboro Church Health Center, 500 Kitchen St., Jonesboro, AR 72401; First Baptist Church Care Center, 701 S. Main St., Jonesboro, AR 72401; or PEO International Cottey College, 1000 West Austin, Nevada, MO 64772.

Online registry at www.emersonfuneralhome.com.