Ava Ann O'Neal, 96 of Vendor,was the second youngest child, born June 16, 1915, to Sarah Ann (Burdine) Smith and Jerry Smith, in Vendor, AR. She grew up in Newton County, and married Curgus O'Neal, of Red Rock, AR, in January 1938, and moved to the Bay Area in California, to start their new life together. She had one child, Conley Lauvhn O'Neal, in Oakland, CA in October 1938. During World War II, she worked at an aircraft factory, in Oakland, CA, as "Rosie the Riveter", until her boss came on the loud speaker announcing to the girls "the war is over, you can all go home". When her husband, Curgus O'Neal retired in 1973, they moved back to Vendor, and built a new home. Ava had a real passion for working out in the yard, and raising a huge garden and canning. She always had the earliest and best tomatoes in Newton County.

Ava died peacefully at the Hospice Home in Harrison, AR, on Thurs. August 11th.

She was a loving and devoted mother to Conley Lauvhn O'Neal, and daughter-in-law Colleen O'Neal, of Livermore, CA, grandmother to Patrick James O'Neal, of Livermore, CA and Michael James O'Neal, of Harrison, AR, and great-grandmother to Matthew James O'Neal, of Harrison, AR. Ava was the Aunt to many nieces and nephews.

Ava was preceded in death by her parents, Sarah Ann and Jerry Smith, her sister, Virgie (Smith) O'Neal, and brothers, Oliver Smith, Holivey Smith, Garland Smith, Arch Smith, Kester Smith, Connie Smith, Clifford Smith, Gaylor Smith, Columbus Smith and husband, Curgus O'Neal.

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Hospice of the Hills, 501 E. Sherman Street, Harrison, AR 72601.

Visitation was at Coffman Funeral Home in Jasper, AR, Sunday, August 14th Funeral services was at Big Creek Assembly of God Church, in Vendor, AR, Monday, August 15th.

Online condolences may be left at www.coffmanfh.com