Elva Opal Schmidt

Elva Opal Schmidt was born in Williamson County, Texas on March 13, 1917. She was the daughter of Eugene McPherson Morris and Emily Octavia Mitchell Morris. Her family moved to Austin in 1922. She died March 5, 2009 at Buckner Villas in Austin, Texas. She graduated from S.F. Austin H.S. in 1935. She married Victor R. Schmidt, Jr. on August 15, 1937 at St. Mary's Cathedral in Austin. She is survived by her daughters, Diane West (Sam) of Austin, Linda Matula of New Braunfels; son, Victor R. Schmidt, III of Austin and Cesar Cavazos, her son in her heart; five grandchildren, LTC Sam West III, D.O. (Corinne), Catherine Cook (Sam), Anna Phillips (Craig), Lisa O'Banan, (Roy) and Eric Matula; four great¬- granddaughters and four great- grandsons. She is also survived by two sisters, Mary Frances Gribble (William) and Sada Holmes (Russell), sister-in-law Eleanor Hollas (George) and many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her husband, parents, her sisters, Vivian Cade, Audie deSteiguer, Verna Roy, Dorris Manahan, and her brothers, Roy Morris and Ben Morris; and her son-in-law Tony Matula. She and her family were founding members of St. Louis Catholic Church where she was active in the couples group, decorating committee, and senior citizen group. She was an accomplished artist who began painting in her late 40s. She was active in Girl Scouting and the Ladies' Auxiliary of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers. Opal was particularly pleased to have lived in her home until the age of 91. Her family wishes to express their appreciation to her neighbors on Louise Lane, Family Eldercare, and Buckner Villas for their care and concern during the last several years. Pallbearers will be Sam Cook, Travis Cook, Craig Phillips, Matthew Phillips, Roy O'Banan, and Cesar Cavazos. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial contributions to Capital Area Food Bank or any charity of your choice. Funeral Mass will be Sunday, March 8, at 2 p.m. at Assumption Chapel followed by burial at Assumption Cemetery.