Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) said Hon Ralph T. O'Neal led with prayers and put God first in everything. Photo: GIS/Facebook

At today's funeral, organs and singing marked the start of the ceremony which saw uniformed officers bring the body to the front of the packed auditorium. Photo: GIS/Facebook

A section of the packed auditorium at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex, today December 11, 2019, for the state funeral of the late Hon Ralph T. O'Neal, OBE. Photo: GIS/Facebook

One of the notable places the procession passed along the way to the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex was the House of Assembly (HoA) Chambers where the former legislator and Member Emeritus, Hon Ralph T. O'Neal, OBE represented the Ninth District District and the Territory in his capacity as Ninth District Representative, Chief Minister and Premier for many years. Photo: VINO

Scenes from the funeral procession for the late First Premier of the Virgin Islands, Hon Ralph T. O'Neal, OBE on December 11, 2019. Photo: VINO

Scenes from the funeral procession for the late First Premier of the Virgin Islands, Hon Ralph T. O'Neal, OBE on December 11, 2019. Photo: VINO

Scenes from the funeral procession for the late First Premier of the Virgin Islands, Hon Ralph T. O'Neal, OBE on December 11, 2019. Photo: VINO

Scenes from the funeral procession for the late First Premier of the Virgin Islands, Hon Ralph T. O'Neal, OBE on December 11, 2019. Photo: VINO

Scenes from the funeral procession for the late First Premier of the Virgin Islands, Hon Ralph T. O'Neal, OBE on December 11, 2019. Photo: VINO

Scenes from the funeral procession for the late First Premier of the Virgin Islands, Hon Ralph T. O'Neal, OBE on December 11, 2019. Photo: VINO

Scenes from the funeral procession for the late First Premier of the Virgin Islands, Hon Ralph T. O'Neal, OBE on December 11, 2019. Photo: VINO

Scenes from the funeral procession for the late First Premier of the Virgin Islands, Hon Ralph T. O'Neal, OBE on December 11, 2019. Photo: VINO

Scenes from the funeral procession for the late First Premier of the Virgin Islands, Hon Ralph T. O'Neal, OBE on December 11, 2019. Photo: VINO

Scenes from the funeral procession for the late First Premier of the Virgin Islands, Hon Ralph T. O'Neal, OBE on December 11, 2019. Photo: VINO

Members of the Virgin Islands Cadet Corps were part of the funeral procession for the late Hon Ralph T. O'Neal, OBE on December 11, 2019. Photo: VINO

Scenes from the funeral procession for the late First Premier of the Virgin Islands, Hon Ralph T. O'Neal, OBE on December 11, 2019. Photo: VINO

Pathfinders in the funeral procession for Hon Ralph T. O'Neal, OBE on December 11, 2019. Photo: VINO

Scenes from the funeral procession for the late First Premier of the Virgin Islands, Hon Ralph T. O'Neal, OBE on December 11, 2019. Photo: VINO

Scenes from the funeral procession for the late First Premier of the Virgin Islands, Hon Ralph T. O'Neal, OBE on December 11, 2019. Photo: VINO

Scenes from the funeral procession for the late First Premier of the Virgin Islands, Hon Ralph T. O'Neal, OBE on December 11, 2019. Photo: VINO

Scenes from the funeral procession for the late First Premier of the Virgin Islands, Hon Ralph T. O'Neal, OBE on December 11, 2019. Photo: VINO

Scenes from the funeral procession for the late First Premier of the Virgin Islands, Hon Ralph T. O'Neal, OBE on December 11, 2019. Photo: VINO

Ahead of the state funeral, uniformed officers guarded the body as part of a procession that marched from the Hon Ralph T. O’Neal Administration Complex to the Sports Complex. Trumpets and drumming filled the air as thousands gathered to catch a final glimpse of the vehicle bearing the casket of Hon O'Neal. Photo: GIS/Facebook

The coffin, draped in the territorial flag and perched on a black platform, was further accented by a variety of colourful flowers. Photo: GIS/Facebook

Scenes from the funeral procession for the late First Premier of the Virgin Islands, Hon Ralph T. O'Neal, OBE on December 11, 2019. Photo: VINO

Scenes from the funeral procession for the late First Premier of the Virgin Islands, Hon Ralph T. O'Neal, OBE on December 11, 2019. Photo: VINO

Scenes from the funeral procession for the late First Premier of the Virgin Islands, Hon Ralph T. O'Neal, OBE on December 11, 2019. Photo: VINO

Scenes from the funeral procession for the late First Premier of the Virgin Islands, Hon Ralph T. O'Neal, OBE on December 11, 2019. Photo: VINO

Scenes from the funeral procession for the late First Premier of the Virgin Islands, Hon Ralph T. O'Neal, OBE on December 11, 2019. Photo: VINO

Scenes from the funeral procession for the late First Premier of the Virgin Islands, Hon Ralph T. O'Neal, OBE on December 11, 2019. Photo: VINO

Scenes from the funeral procession for the late First Premier of the Virgin Islands, Hon Ralph T. O'Neal, OBE on December 11, 2019. Photo: VINO

Scenes from the funeral procession for the late First Premier of the Virgin Islands, Hon Ralph T. O'Neal, OBE on December 11, 2019. Photo: VINO

Scenes from the funeral procession for the late First Premier of the Virgin Islands, Hon Ralph T. O'Neal, OBE on December 11, 2019. Photo: VINO

Scenes from the funeral procession for the late First Premier of the Virgin Islands, Hon Ralph T. O'Neal, OBE on December 11, 2019. Photo: VINO

Scenes from the funeral procession for the late First Premier of the Virgin Islands, Hon Ralph T. O'Neal, OBE on December 11, 2019. Photo: VINO

Scenes from the funeral procession for the late First Premier of the Virgin Islands, Hon Ralph T. O'Neal, OBE on December 11, 2019. Photo: VINO

Scenes from the funeral procession for the late First Premier of the Virgin Islands, Hon Ralph T. O'Neal, OBE on December 11, 2019. Photo: VINO

Scenes from the funeral procession for the late First Premier of the Virgin Islands, Hon Ralph T. O'Neal, OBE on December 11, 2019. Photo: VINO

Scenes from the funeral procession for the late First Premier of the Virgin Islands, Hon Ralph T. O'Neal, OBE on December 11, 2019. Photo: VINO

Scenes from the funeral procession for the late First Premier of the Virgin Islands, Hon Ralph T. O'Neal, OBE on December 11, 2019. Photo: VINO

Before today's public holiday & state funeral with a closed casket, the body of Hon O'Neal had been lying in state for two days at the HoA. There, thousands more including legislators, public officers, school children, members of the public and dignitaries came to pay final tributes and get a glimpse of the great leader. Photo: GIS/Facebook

Ahead of the state funeral, uniformed officers guarded the body as part of a procession that marched from the Hon Ralph T. O’Neal Administration Complex to the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex. Trumpets and drumming filled the air as the procession of uniform bodies made its way through Road Town, at times through drizzles, following the vehicle bearing the casket of Hon O'Neal.

One of the notable places the procession passed along the way to the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex was the House of Assembly (HoA) Chambers where the former legislator and Member Emeritus represented the Ninth District District and the Territory in his capacity as Ninth District Representative, Chief Minister and Premier for many years.

Before today's public holiday and state funeral, the body had been lying in state for two days at the HoA where thousands, including current and former legislators, public officers, school children, members of the public and dignitaries had an opportunity to pay their respects. 

Hon O'Neal believed in God - Premier Fahie 

At today's funeral, organs and singing marked the start of the ceremony which saw uniformed officers bringing the body to the front of the packed auditorium. The coffin, draped in the territorial flag and perched on a black platform, was further accented by a variety of flowers.

"I recognised that Ralph T. O'Neal's life was successful because he fulfilled the purpose that God put him on this earth to fulfil," Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) said in his tribute to his mentor and former Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP).

"It was not because he has a long legacy of being consistent, his success was not because he was a good teacher, his success was not because he was a good politician, his success was because he praised God all the time and fulfil the purpose that God placed him on earth to fulfil," Hon Fahie said to loud applause.

He recalled moments where Hon O'Neal turned to God in moments of controversy to seek guidance. Premier Fahie said he too has faced similar struggles in his political career.

Leading with Prayers 

While facing challenges to build the very Multi-Purpose Sports Complex, he said Hon O'Neal told him "If you are building this building for the right reason and your foundation is on the right principle, then no protester can stop you from fulfilling the purpose."

Hon Fahie continued, "It was the principle of our forefathers, we built the Virgin Islands... US and BVI, on Prayers... we are walking on the ashes of our forefathers and we have to respect the grounds."

The Premier said that Hon O'Neal's life has taught him the importance of putting God first despite challenges, noting that failure of detractors is certain under the guidance of the supreme as long as the Virgin Islands continues to lead itself with prayers.

Packed Auditorium 

Present in the packed auditorium amongst family, VI legislators, dignitaries and members of the public included Opposition Leader Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8); Governor of the Virgin Islands Mr Augustus J. U. Jaspert; Deputy Governor Mr David D. Archer Jr and wife; House Speaker Hon Julian Willock; Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Dame Janice M. Pereira DBE, along with USVI Governor, Mr Albert Bryan Jr and Lieutenant Governor Tregenza A. Roach.