Brian O’Neal Waddell, the beloved son of the late Elder Kenneth and Elder Yvonne D. Waddell, was born in Iredell County on August 25, 1972. He peacefully departed this life on December 26, 2025, with his sister Kimberly W. Palmer by his side following a lengthy illness. His paternal grandparents Theordore Harrell and Martha Patterson Waddell; and his maternal grandparents, Clarence and Estie Mae Dalton, all preceded him in death.

He attended North Iredell High School and Halifax County High. Then he later received his GED. He was a member of Deliverance Tabernacle in South Boston, Va., and later joined Christ Cathedral of Deliverance in Statesville, N.C. As a child, Brian had a passion for playing the drums for the Waddell Group, cooking, and also for drawing. Later on in life, he also taught himself how to tattoo. He became the tattoo artist known as “RuckusDaRealest4Sho” and was also a dog breeder by passion. He also had a love for Old School, R & B, and Jazz music.

On March 26, 2010, Brian was united in holy matrimony to Maria Gilford, whom he loved and cherished. They shared many meaningful years together as she provided support, comfort and love to him throughout his life. Together they shared a marriage built on faith, respect and adoration.

Brian was employed at many tattoo shops throughout North Carolina, including SHOOTTY’s, EPIC Tattoo, and Universal Ink. He also did mobile tattooing. In 2011, he opened up his own tattoo shop called Neoterictatau in Harmony, N.C. In 2018, he worked at the Chef’s Store, Sumtin’ Tastee as a chef and was employed at Basic Instinct Pitbull Kennel in 2019. In 2022, he started to experience a decline in his health, which led him to being placed in long-term care.

Left to cherish his memory is his beloved wife, Maria G. Waddell; four sisters: Elder Kimberly W. Palmer of Salibury, N.C., Elder Toni Waddell of Statesville, N.C., Minister Tracy Waddell of Lake Orion, Mich., and Missionary Yasiah Hurtado of Alexandria, Va.; three step children, Mario Gliford, Courtney Morrison and Thomas “Tad” Saddler; nine grandchildren: Akhil, Fatimah, Matthias, Kennidi and Amari Gilford and Mariah, David, Jaylen and Cayden Wyrick; three nephews: Devin Waddell, Jaron Waddell, and Vidal Hurtado Jr.; two nieces: Kia’ Palmer and Lili’a Hurtado; one great niece: Samaria’ Palmer; two sister-in-laws; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Rutledge & Bigham Mortuary is serving the family.