Virginia Dare O'Neill

Mrs. Virginia Dare O'Neill, age 93, of Andrews, NC passed away Friday, January 29, 2016 at the Valley View Care Center in Andrews. Named after the first white women born in America Mrs. O'Neill was born May 18, 1922 in Beckley, WV to the late William Erby Knighton and the late Ida Cook Knighton. In addition to her parents and all of her nine siblings, she was preceded in death by husband, Paul "Bud" O'Neill, and two sons, William Vernon Stell and John Augustine Washington. She served her country bravely in 1944 during WWII as a WASP which was composed of 1700 women each receiving a Congressional Gold Medal of late. Her grandfather before her, Robert W. Cook of Stokes County NC, fought for the confederate army during the civil war serving in the F 21st Regiment North Carolina Troops. After her marriage to Naval Aviator Max W. Stell, they moved to Surabaya Java to instruct Dutch flyers. After the war broke out they returned to the U.S. aboard the Boschfontein steamer ship on a 39 day trip. Virginia divorced in 1950 and became a stewardess for National Airlines, then later became the Special Representative for the VIPs aboard Pan American Airlines. In the interim, she married Jack Washington and was later divorced. She then met and married James "Bud" O'Neill. They moved from Belleair Beach, Florida in 2003 to Boston, Massachusetts then came to Andrews in 2004.

Survivors include one son, Max Stell, seven grandchildren and a slew of great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 6, 2016 at 10:00 am at the Cochran Funeral Home of Murphy.

The family will receive friends at the Cochran Funeral Home, Saturday, February 6, 2016, from 9:00 am - 10:00 am.

Arrangements entrusted to the Cochran Funeral Home of Murphy, NC. You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest register at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.