Debra Denise O’Neal-Elliott, age 64, of Chesapeake, West Virginia, passed away on January 16, 2026, peacefully after enduring ongoing health struggles with strength and grace. She was born in Charleston, West Virginia.
Despite the challenges she faced with her health, Debra remained full of life. She was a loving mother, sister, and friend who never lost her ability to connect with others. She loved music, had a special place in her heart for animals, and truly enjoyed talking to new people—never meeting a stranger. Her resilience, compassion, and genuine spirit were evident to all who knew her.
She is survived by her beloved daughter, Catherine Stephenson, and her sister, Brenda O’Neal-McCoy, along with many friends whose lives she touched.
In accordance with her wishes, Debra will be cremated. There will be no public viewing. Arrangements have been entrusted to Gatens-Harding Funeral Home in Poca, West Virginia.
Debra will be remembered for her strength, her loving heart, and the joy she brought into the lives of others. She will be deeply missed.
