Obituary of Earleta Leanora O'Neill

On April 1, 2022, the bright flame known as Earleta Fleming O’Neill for the past 99 years, ascended to join the divine flames in the Abha Kingdom. This beloved Knight of Baha’u’lah united with her cherished Bahai Faith in 1944. In the year 1953, she answered the call of the Bahai Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, to spread the Faith’s message. Earleta served as a pioneer in Spanish Morroco where she enjoyed the bounty of witnessing the formation of the first Bahai Local Spiritual Assembly in April 1955. Her influence will no doubt be felt for times to come since as often as possible, she returned to Ceuta bearing books and other Bahai writings not only in English, but also in Arabic and Spanish. On June 23, 1922, Earleta was born to William Earl and Olivia Goff. She attended the Girl’s High School and San Francisco State Teachers College. Strong work ethics led to her retirement in the supervisor position over the Accounting Department for the United States Mint in San Francisco. In 1953 Earleta met and married John Fleming. They were wed only a short time before boarding the ship to pioneer together in Ceuta. To this union was born her two beloved children, Kimberly and Patrick. Between October 24, 1953 and 1961, they would share two tours of service to the Bahais of Spanish Morocco. John preceded her in death. After a 40 year absence, John (Jerry) O’Neill mysteriously, but lovingly came back into Earleta’s life. They were wed in 1995. After retirement, Jerry and Earleta moved from California to Las Vegas where they enjoyed 20 plus years of wedded bliss, before unfortunate illness overtook Jerry and he too preceded her in death. But...not before he made sure there was a set aside for her to make treks back to her cherished Ceuta. Earleta is predeceased by her parents; two brothers, Walter and William; and sister, Luella (Lolly) McKay (who also pioneered with her in Spanish Morroco, then Spanish Guinea). She is survived by her children Kimberly Gila and Patrick Fleming; four grandchildren, Adriana, Badi, Patrecio and Diana; and nephew, Nicholas McKay.