Mr. Raymond Henry O'Neal was born April 20, 1952, to the late Cornell Sr. and Juanita O'Neal in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and departed this life peacefully on February 15, 2026. He was the third of five children. A native of Winston-Salem, he matriculated through the WS/FCS System and graduated from Atkins High School in 1970. He was employed by Hanes Hosiery for three years and later by R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company (Reynolds American Incorporated) for 40 years as a machine operator until his retirement in 2012. He was featured in a United Way commercial serving as a representative for R.J. Reynolds and received numerous awards during his tenure. At an early age, Raymond was known for his meticulous dress and often considered R.J. Reynolds his personal runway.

His love for singing afforded him opportunities to record and minister under many great musical leaders. At the age of eight, he was drafted from the youth choir to the senior choir at St. Stephens Missionary Baptist Church. He later joined the Voices of Faith and sang throughout the United States. In later years, he united with Ambassador Cathedral under the leadership of Bishop Frederick D. Patterson and under the musical direction of Brother David Allen. He recorded with Ambassador Cathedral, the David Allen Singers, and sang with the JC Singers. During this time, he led and recorded "Eternal Life" with the GMWA Mass Choir and won the WALJO Award for Best Male Vocalist.

In the early 1980s, he joined Macedonia True Vine Pentecostal Holiness Church (Macedonia Worship Center) under the tutelage of Apostle Sylvester Davis Johnson. There, he was a Trustee and sang with the S.D. Johnson Celestial Mass Choir, W.M. Johnson Memorial Chorale, W.M. Johnson Men's Chorus, and the praise team. Some of his signature songs included "The Lord's Prayer," "He's Able," "Make It to The City," "Emmanuel," "Lord, I Love You," "Center of My Joy," "When Sunday Comes," and "My Soul is Anchored." He also found his place singing with the Renaissance Choir for 15 years under the direction of his dear friend, Maestro Dionn Owen, where he led "Be Glorified" on the CD titled In The Moment. Throughout his musical journey, he shared stages with Bishop John Heath, Keith Pringle, John P. Kee, Daryl Coley, Shirley Ceasar, DJ Rogers, Richard Smallwood, Myrna Summers, Richard "Mr. Clean" White and many other renowned musical personalities.

Beyond his professional and musical accomplishments, Raymond cherished life's simple joys. He loved eating, scrapbooking, taking pictures, and calling his beloved Godmother at 1:00 a.m. just to talk. Yet, throughout the many achievements of his life, he never quite mastered his cell phone.

He was a devoted and loving father who enjoyed spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren, siblings, and extended family and friends, as they were the joy of his life.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Wyoming Houston.

He leaves to cherish his memory his best friend of 21 years and wife of 3 years, Charlene O'Neal; his children, Raymond O'Neal Jr., LaTasha (Dwight) Jennings, Braxton O'Neal, and Shamita Gill; eleven grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; mother-in-law, Rev. Clementine Gunter; two brothers, Cornell (Eva) O'Neal, Jr. and Ronald (Tonya) O'Neal; one sister, Dr. Barbara O'Neal; uncle, Michael Conrad; three brothers-in-law, Milton Houston, Terry Gunter, and Pastor Quentin Gunter; sister-in-law, Patricia (Avie) Lester; Godmother, Thelma Foy; Godson, Marcell Reynolds; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. His special friends include Elder Claude Henley, Otis and Carolyn Hairston, Jimmy and Queen Lowery, Greg Battle, Tony Jenkins, George Johnson, Carolyn Thomas, John Jowers, Robert and Sally Bethea, Dionn Owen, Bobby Witherspoon, Phillip Russell and his favorite group, "The Ratchet 7."

A viewing will be held from 1:00pm until 5:00pm Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Russell Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 12noon Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at Macedonia Worship Center.  Interment will follow in Parklawn Memorial Park. The family visitation will be held from 11:00am until 12noon on Wednesday at the Church.