Dorothy O'Neal Beasley

Dorothy O’Neal Beasley, age 95, passed away March 19, 2021 in Cincinnati, OH. She is survived by her devoted husband, Alfred J. Beasley, Sr.; her loving children, Casandra McLin-Brower (Jerry Brower), Isham O’Neal, Darphus J. O’Neal (Wanida) and the late Ronald O’Neal; her 4 step-children, Terri (Arthur) Bourne, Alfred (Diane) Beasley, Jr., Craig (Tammy) Beasley and Norman (Shanda) Beasley; 4 grandchildren, Rita (Mark) Menifee, Robin Jones, John and James O’Neal; and a host of great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00am Friday March 26, 2021 at Thompson, Hall and Jordan Funeral Home, 11400 Winton Rd. Visitation 10am-11am at the funeral home. Interment follows in Vine Street Hill Cemetery. Please view and sign her registry at www.thompsonhalljordan.com.

LiveStream: Her service will be LiveStreamed beginning at 10:45am. Please return here to her obituary website and select the Media or Photos tab to sign into the live webcast.

Dorothy L. O’Neal-Beasley was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on October 12, 1925 to the late James Jackson and Glozie Lyles, who both preceded her in death. Dorothy was one of six children; Emma Powell, Rudolph Lyles, Mary Jones, Bertha Simpson, all preceded her in death.
Dorothy gave her life to Christ at a very early age and was a devoted member of First Baptist Church of Hazelwood. She served faithfully as an Usher until she moved to First Baptist Kennedy Heights where she also served on the Usher Board.
Dorothy attended and graduated in 1943 from Harriet Beecher Stow School. Many years later they would form the Stowite’s and the National Association of Negro Women, Los Amigos Chapter, to which she was a devoted member.
In 1946 Dorothy met and married Isham O’Neal, Sr. and remained married until his death in December 1978. To this union 4 children were born; Casandra, Isham Jr., Darphus, and Ronald who preceded her in death.
Dorothy’s career path took her to the Cincinnati Public Library where she worked and served diligently for 25 years. She served on the book mobile which served underprivileged children in the city and rural areas, where she spent time helping children learn to read. She loved books and felt everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy reading.
In 1992 Dorothy married her childhood friend, Alfred Beasley, Sr. She gained 4 bonus children with this union: Terri, Alfred Jr., Craig, and Norman.
After retiring from the Cincinnati Public Library, Dorothy opted for another career as a nail technician in her daughter, Casandra’s salon. She attended Larry Moore Beauty College in 1994 and received her certification in 1995.
Dorothy loved to cook and bake for her family and friends. She was known for her elaborate spreads that she put together on the holidays. Dorothy made the best, “and I mean the BEST” yeast rolls, lemon meringue, sweet potato pie and oatmeal cookies. She made all this from scratch and with love and it will remain in the hearts and souls of all who tasted them.
She is survived by and leaves to cherish her memory; her husband and soul mate, Alfred Beasley Sr.; one daughter, Casandra Mclin (Jerry), two sons, Isham O’Neal Jr., Darphus James O’Neal (Wanita) and Ronald O’Neal, preceded her in death; four bonus children, Terri Bourne (Ray), Alfred Beasley Jr. (Diane), Craig Beasley (Tamy), and Norman Beasley (Shaunda); four grandchildren, Rita Menifee (Mark), Robin Jones, James O’Neal (Buffy), and John O’Neal; eight great grandchildren, Jasmine Menifee, Shelley Rose (Jalen), Sydney Menifee, Josie O’Neal, Jewell O’Neal, Anthony O’Neal, and Andre O’Neal; two great-great grandchildren; one great grandson, Mark Menifee Jr., who preceded her in death.