Evelyn Rebecca (Becky) Gaskins O'Neal

Evelyn Rebecca (“Becky”) Gaskins O’Neal

It is with great sadness that we tell you of the death of our loved one, Becky Gaskins O’Neal after she bravely battled lung cancer for the last year. Her family was by her side.

Born in Hartsville on August 13, 1943, Becky was the daughter of the late Virginia and David Gaskins. In 1961, she started work at Segars Chevrolet Cadillac when it was located on College Avenue, and in 1964, she started work at Sonoco, where she worked for 37 years. She enjoyed many years of retirement just being at home and carrying on family traditions and “weekly gatherings.” To us, she was known as Nana and lovingly nicknamed “the Goat” because of her love of working in and wandering around her yard. She could always be found doing her crossword puzzles, enjoying her flowers, playing with her great grandchildren, or taking care of the people she loved. Most of all she had a gentle way of making everyone feel cared for no matter what was going on. She was a main source of comfort and joy, and we will keep her love, humor, and kindness in our hearts forever.

Left to cherish her memory are the love of her life and husband of almost 65 years, Bobby, and her daughter Jennifer Brown, who has spent every day of the last year taking good care of her mom and dad. She is lovingly remembered by her wonderful grandchildren: Jennifer’s children, Holly Brown and Trey Brown, his wife Savanna, and their two sons, Maddox and Merrick, all of Hartsville; and Greg’s daughters, Rachel O’Neal of Nashville, TN and Emily Deal, her husband Chris, and their children Caroline, Brantley, and Mikey of Auburndale, FL. She is also survived by her sister and best friend for life, Barbara Raines; Barbara’s son David and David’s daughter Elizabeth; her brother-in-law, Edward O’Neal; her nieces Kim Kelly and Teresa Armstrong and their families; the best neighbor ever, Carol Ann Godwin and her son Jacob; and her cat, Buddy. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her son, Greg; her sister and brother-in-law, Suzanne and Harry Muldrow; her sisters-in-law, Linda Shiflet and Ann O’Neal; and her brother-in-law, Alfred O’Neal.

A graveside service honoring Becky’s life will be held on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Magnolia Cemetery directed by Norton Funeral Home. Rev. Todd Davis will officiate. The family will gather at Becky and Bobby’s home (306 East Richardson Circle). The visitation will be held at the graveside following the memorial service.

The family is grateful for the care Becky received from the team at McLeod Oncology and McLeod Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Darlington County Humane Society, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or St. Luke Methodist Church in Hartsville.

Norton Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the O'Neal family.