DEATHS
Margaret Ann Kirby O’Neal died on June 25, 2024, at Lampasas Assisted Living.
She was born on Sept. 5, 1937 to Tommie F. and Lois Patterson Kirby.
Margaret was a lifelong resident of Lampasas. She graduated from Lampasas High School, Class of 1956.
After high school, she went to beauty school in Austin and returned to Lampasas in 1957, becoming the youngest hairdresser in town.
The first place she worked was in a beauty shop on the north side of the courthouse square. A few months after she started there, the shop suffered damage in the flood of 1957, and the shop had to move to a temporary location.
In 1960, she purchased her shop on Key Avenue and worked there for many years. Before retiring in 2014 at age 77, she commented, “I was the youngest hairdresser in town, and now I’m the oldest, and I have loved every minute.” She loved her customers, and they loved her.
Margaret married Early “Junior” O’Neal on May 28, 1966. They were married for almost 49 years, until his death in 2015. The bonus in their marriage was Margaret’s becoming mother to Junior’s daughter, Jina Kloe. Margaret loved Jina Kloe as her own and loved being involved in her high school years and beyond.
Margaret and Junior enjoyed many trips to ropings and cutting horse events.
Margaret especially enjoyed road trips with friends Bennie, Betsy and Wanda. She loved to go to Nashville for visits with her sister and her sister’s family.
Margaret was a devout Christian and loved her church family. She was a member of Lampasas Community Church for many years.
She also loved music -- from Elvis to country (Marty Robbins) to singing in church. A memorable event was having her picture taken with Elvis on July 4, 1955, when he performed at an outdoor, all-day gospel quartet singing in De Leon.
Margaret was preceded in death by her husband; son, Carlton O’Neal; granddaughter, Tanya Zella; half-brothers Harold Wayne Kirby and Buddy Kirby; and brother-in-law, Don Corlew.
She is survived by her daughter, Jina Kloe Kuker and husband Don; greatgrandsons, Dillon Zella and Hunter Zella; sister, Tommye Jean Corlew; nieces, Julie Adkison (Mark), Betsy Wright (Sean), and Sally Marciel (Michael); her half-brothers’ families; special friends and families Laurie and Greg Henderson, Matthew Henderson (Danielle) Dawson and Madeline Henderson, Ben Henderson (Makayla) and Holden Henderson, Janna Martin, Cara Daly (Ryan), Mark Daly, Julie Bucek (Mark), Macy Bucek, Molly Lozen (Taylor), Easton Lozen; cousin, Billie Miller; and many friends, including Hannah Kendrick.
Funeral services will be June 30 at 2 p.m. at Sneed-Carnley Funeral Chapel, with visitation from 1-2 p.m. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
