Illiene M. Carroll's Obituary
Illiene M. Carroll July 15, 1926 – June 10, 2020
Born in North Little Rock, Arkansas to Bascome and Opal Mills, Illiene spent her early childhood in the small town of El Paso, AR, on the ‘old homeplace’ farm with her younger brother Boyd aka Bubu. Upon moving into Little Rock, she graduated from Central High School and then attended Ouachita Baptist College. In 1946, upon his return from serving in WWII, Illiene married Jack O’Neal. During their time in Ponca City, OK, the family grew to include their three children. Illiene turned her love of stylish clothing and knowledge of fashion into a successful career as manager of several ladies’ dress shops, both in Magnolia, AR and in Dallas, upon the family transfer to Big D.
A new page in her life was turned in 1984 when Illiene married Marshall and began a wonderful journey of over 34 years until Marshall’s passing in 2018. During these years, they travelled many places, loved several small dogs, built multiple dollhouses, but mostly loved each other and all of their children and grandchildren fiercely and completely. She also found time to work part-time at Neha’s China and Crystal where she enjoyed her co-workers and buying beautiful treasures in equal measure. It was always a mystery to Marshall how she could lose so much money each day she worked in the store but he grew to expect it.
She enjoyed antiques of all kinds, collecting carnival glass, gardening in her beautiful flowerbeds, and quilting, sewing, and anything which involved a needle. She read each night, had a deep faith in the Lord, and enjoyed watching ‘Dancing with the Stars’. However, all who knew her also knew Illiene’s defining quality was her endless love and enjoyment of her family. Each new addition, whether by marriage or birth, became as special as all the other family members to her.
Illiene goes to join her parents, brother and Marshall. She leaves to miss her - son John O’Neal and wife Susan, her daughters Diana O’Neal and Anne Harris with husband Mike, her stepdaughter Becky Ferrell and husband Jay; her grandchildren Jason Harris (Sarah), Amber Nichols, Margaret Coleman (Chris), Tucker Garvey (Amanda), Justin O’Neal (Lisa), and Andrew O’Neal (Natalie); great-grandchildren Jaida, Ashlyn, Avery, Devin, Reed, Connor, Morgan, and Brayden; her nephews Wayne and Gary Mills and great-niece Heather Trickey; her Quilt Group and neighbors; and Greta.
To view the service by Live Webcast use the following link.
http://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/31469
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