Russell Leslie O'Neal, age 84, of Lexington, Texas, passed away peacefully at the Country Care Plex on Tuesday, February 2, 2010, in Giddings, Texas. A native of Franklin County, Arkansas, he was the son of the late Earl Clifton O'Neal and Jewell (Shetterly) O'Neal. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his loving wife of 67 years, Ila Mae (Wilson) O'Neal and two brothers, Richard Earl O'Neal and Argus Arvene O'Neal.

Russell graduated from Branch (County Line) High School and served in the U.S. Navy. Following his service in the Navy, he attended the University of Arkansas at Fayelleville for one year before moving to the Texas Gulf Coast and beginning a career as a Chemical Operator at Union Carbide. Upon his retirement from Carbide, he moved to his ranch in Lexington, Texas and continued his love of raising Charolais cattle and Coastal Bermuda hay.

Graveside service will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, February 6th, at the Mount Hope Cemetery, northeast of Branch, with "Military Honors", under the direction of the Brotherton Brothers Funeral Home in Charleston.

He is survived by two daughters, N. Eileen Merryman & husband John and Leslie Kay Brazzil & husband Mark; one son, Russell Eric O'Neal & wife Cheryl; one brother, E.C. O'Neal & wife Katy; two granddaughters, Amiee O'Neal and April O'Neal; three grandsons, Austin O'Neal, Will Brazzil, and Caleb Brazzil; seven great grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews.

The family will visit with family and friends Friday night at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Mount Hope Cemetery Fund @ Jimmy O'Neal, 11008 Turkey Knob Road, Branch, AR 72928 or Aseracare Hospice, 1015 Main St. Bastrop, Texas 78602.

To pay an online tribute, please visit www.brothertonbrothersfuneralhomes.com. (479) 965-8202