Opal Welch

Opal Smith was born in Whitney, Texas April 21, 1921. She grew up during the Great Depression and at 17 boarded a bus in Hillsboro bound for Dallas and the Parkland School of Nursing. She was alone, far from home, living in the Parkland dorm with other girls working for a better life. World War II was brewing and many of the nurses were preparing to leave for England with the Red Cross. On a rainy night standing outside a Dallas movie house a young man stopped and gave her a ride back to Parkland. She and W.B. fell in love and were married a month before her graduation. Because the rules required the nurses to be single she and W.B. eloped and kept the secret until she graduated as an R.N.

As the Head Nurse at Dallas Baylor emergency Opal recognized the lack of procedures that hampered efficient, safe treatment. She implemented a sterilization procedure that provided clean instruments to the ER doctors as each new case arrived. She realized that precious time was lost assembling equipment and drugs during cardiac events so she assembled their first cardiac crash cart. When Opal left Baylor to raise a family the staff was sorry to lose her and asked her repeatedly to stay. She moved on to family life but never stopped serving, caring and loving.

As a mom, daughter, sister, aunt and neighbor Opal touched countless lives in so many ways. Out of nursing she still provided personal care for sick family and friends. She took some into her home when they were sick or some that needed a place to stay. She carried many to doctors and hospitals for needed medical attention. She even taught several widows how to drive, opening their lives to new opportunities. She volunteered at school, church, scouts and other groups. Opal was a Sunday School teacher at First Baptist Carrollton where she and W.B. were members since the early 1950’s.

Opal was a silent servant, never looking for headlines or personal credit, just to make life a little better for others. She believed in the power of prayer and always said anything can be overcome with enough prayer, “Take it to the Lord in prayer, He will solve it.” Many of you reading this will never know just how many times she knelt beside her bed and prayed for you and yours.

Opal Smith Welch, mom, died this morning after 96 years of faithful living. She’s in heaven today among the giants. Oh what a heavenly reunion as she walks the streets of gold, reunited with dad, family, friends and the Lord she loved.

Opal was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, William B Welch, her parents, and three siblings. She is survived by her 3 children, Julianne Welch of Carrollton, Charles Welch (Glynda) of Plano, and Rick Welch (Teala) of Spicewood, grandchildren Scott Welch, Joy Hunsinger, Dr. Jason Welch, Lindsey Cerkovnik, and 12 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild.