Celeste Cheatham O’Neil

Celeste Cheatham O'Neil passed away on Sunday, October 13, 2013 at her residence in North Palm Beach, Florida, as a result of head injuries sustained from a fall in April. Celeste was born November 29, 1935 in Augusta, Georgia, and later moved to New York City, but never forgot her Southern roots. She was the daughter of Owen Robertson Cheatham, the founder of the Georgia-Pacific Corporation, and Celeste Wickliffe Cheatham. Celeste attended the Madeira School in McLean, Virginia, and later attended the Spence School, Finch College, and Columbia University in New York City.

Celeste ("Wiki" to her Southern kin) was widely known for her kind and generous spirit. Her warmth and sense of humor made everyone feel comfortable and welcome. Throughout her life, she did more for others than for herself, a trait that was visible until the end. She had many life-long friends, and even those whom she met for a short time felt as though they had known her forever.

Celeste was an active supporter of the arts and education, both personally and through The Owen Cheatham Foundation, of which she was the Chairman of the Board. She had been a board member and trustee of Choate Rosemary Hall, Martha Graham Dance Company, The Museum of Broadcasting, Musica Sacra (New York), and other philanthropic organizations. She was also a member of the New Concord Presbyterian Church in Concord, Virginia, home of the Owen Robertson Cheatham Memorial and Gardens.

She is survived by her husband, Stephen E. O'Neil of New York City; her sons, Kenneth Robertson Kennerly (and wife, Kelly) of Jupiter, Florida, and Owen Cheatham Kennerly (and wife, Sarina) of San Francisco; five grandchildren (Carly, Charlie, Ava, Eero, and Rae), seven step-children, and eighteen step-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her other son, Charles Wickliffe Kennerly, whom she has now joined in Heaven.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, October 18, 2013 at 11am at the New Concord Presbyterian Church in Concord, Virginia, where Celeste will be laid to rest among many generations of the Cheatham family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the New Concord Presbyterian Church, 5588 New Chapel Road, Concord, Virginia 24538 or Hospice of Palm Beach County, 53000 East Avenue, West Palm Beach, Florida 33407.

Tharp Funeral Home and Crematory, Lynchburg (434-237-9424) is assisting the family.