Chloe Ann O’Neal, 88, of Ocracoke passed away peacefully at home on June 21, 2025, surrounded by her family.
Born April 4, 1937, on Ocracoke, she was a daughter of the late Uriah W. Garrish, Jr. and Maude T. Garrish of Ocracoke.
A devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, Chloe lived a life full of love, grace and kindness.
She loved cooking traditional island dishes and feeding her family and a countless number of friends.
She will be remembered for her warm heart, gentle spirit and her devotion to her late husband Robert “Fowler” O’Neal Sr.
She is survived by her brother Robert “Bobby” C. Garrish of Ocracoke and her three children Robert “Bobby” Fowler O’Neal Jr. and Joan “Joanie” Ann O’Neal of Ocracoke, and Gloria “Sissy” O’Neal Nash of Newport News, Virginia.
Chloe had 10 grandchildren who affectionately called her Granny “Coco.”
Her grandchildren include Robert “Billy” W. O’Neal of Santa Maria, California, Mark O’Neal, Chloe O’Neal and Jackson Strange of Ocracoke; William “Will” Stevens, Neal Stevens, and Caroline Minns all of Newport News, Virginia; Tressa Kane of Smithfield, Virginia; Leeanna Lanciault of Williamsburg, Virginia; and Aurora Schraffenberger of Anchorage, Alaska.
She is also survived by 11 great-grandchildren across the country.
She is preceded in death by her parents and her three sisters Maude Ballance and Grace Gaskill of Ocracoke and Helen “Tink” Helpenstill of Eagle, Alaska.
A date for a graveside service is still being determined.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Chloe’s memory to Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department care of the Ocracoke Fire Protection Association (OFPA) and mail it to OFPA, P.O. Box 332, Ocracoke, NC 27960, or Ocracoke United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 278, Ocracoke, NC 27960
