A visitation for Opal will be held Friday, July 30, 2021 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Paradise Funeral Home, 10401 West Montgomery, Houston, TX 77088. A funeral service will occur Friday, July 30, 2021 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, 10401 West Montgomery, Houston, TX 77088. A committal service will occur Friday, July 30, 2021 from 3:30 PM to 4:00 PM at Paradise Cemetery North, 10401 West Montgomery, Houston, TX 77088.
On August 12th, 1930, Sister Opal Jones was born the 7th and last child of Will Jones, and Essie Dora Jackson Jones in Jefferson County, Pine Bluff, Arkansas.
Known for her high cheekbones and dimpled smile, she grew up on southern cooking, western cinemas, singing in the choir, and a lifelong love of reading. She was a bright and dedicated student at Merrill High School where her diligence would serve her richly as she went on to receive her Bachelors in Education at Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Ar.
Opal had a daughter Sharon Jones while in college but that did not stop her from achieving her goal to finish college. Later while teaching she met and married John Monk and had three daughters, Felicia, Stephanie and Melanie. A few years later as a divorcee she met and married Berlin Tiner but due to racial tension in Arkansas for black and white marriages they decided to move to Houston, Texas.
After few years she became a widow but she persevered working and raising her three youngest girls in Houston. Later she went on to receive her Master’s in Special Education at the University of Houston. This passion for educational excellence for herself, and as a teacher was driven by her love for children and her desire to help them learn despite their disability.
As the mother of four loving daughters, she taught and embodied her heritage of “how to conduct yourself” to her girls. Emphasizing to stand tall, sit straight, respect yourself, represent your family well in speech, dress, and manners. She loved to expose her girls to the world’s wonders through summer camps, Girl Scouts and Brownies, YMCA events, horseback riding, swimming, and music lessons, frequent weekend drives to visit family and friend. From the Grand Canyon to small road trips, even if it was to view the Dogwood and Magnolia trees in bloom.
Her motto of “Do what you can (have to), until you can do better”, was never more emphasized when Sister Opal was in a traumatic car accident. The severity and length of convalescence absented her from teaching and her classroom. Psalm 37:24, Though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand. With no car or nearby bus routes, Sister Opal still supported her family during her trials. She walked 5 miles to her local Foley’s Department store, and that necessity saw a strengthening in body, mind and spirit. ..Proverbs 31:13-29.
Few years later Sister Opal overcame her hardships, and the obstacles in her path and returned to the classroom and her passion for teaching with the help of Sis Jean Brinkley in Wharton Independent School District. While in Wharton worshiping at the MLK Church of Christ, Sister Opal obeyed the Gospel and was baptized by Brother Eddie Brinkley Sr. She was a diligent servant to Jesus Christ and an extraordinary role model in her discipline, hard work, and perseverance. Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. Later she moved back to Houston. Sister Opal began teaching in the North Forest School District, at W.E. Rogers Elementary School, where she remained until her retirement in 2010, at the age of 80, all together she taught more than 46 years.
After suffering a stroke towards the end of 2010, Sister Opal maintained her health through private workouts with Bro. Eugene Johnson, and she kept her mind stimulated with puzzles, newspapers, current events, quilting by hand, John Wayne and Clint Eastwood westerns, Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot, Sunday services, Wednesdays Bible Studies, and of course, her grand and great-grandchildren.
Sister Opal was a daily fixture from birth, in the life of her four grandchildren. The author, Alex Haley, of the book Roots says, “Grandparents sprinkle grandchildren with stardust.” From the beginning, Sister Opal wanted to be called, Dear Mommy, a title which she epitomized. Her generous nature, quiet wisdom, feisty spirit, and enduring love sprinkled stardust far and wide among all her grands and great grands, giving that same care, concern, and direction she gave first to her girls.
The eldest and only one to inherit her dimples, Giovanni Opal says, “Dear Mommy was a rare jewel, not only was she my grandmother, but another Mother to me. I’ve learned so many invaluable life lessons from the way she lived..., how to be kind, courteous, stand tall, yet still a young lady. The value of a dollar and an education. I started at her elementary school, W.E. Rogers, riding to and from with her was always an adventure. So many of my first were with Dear Mommy: graduating high school, first car, first bank account, apartment, graduating college and nursing school, my wedding and birth of my first child, Gianni Opal. I remember her lead foot and speeding, love of sweets, flowers and plants, Crossword, Word Search, and the quilting circle at Highland Heights. I’m so grateful God blessed her to be my grandmother, and that my daughter, Gianni Opal and son Isaiah had an opportunity to know and love Dearmommy. Her unconditional love, wonderful example, and unwavering support have helped to shape me into the woman I am today.”
Ashley Denise says, “Dearmommy was often OPJ and Jones, to me! Nick names I later gave that she loved. She would eat those old-fashioned, sugared orange slices and jellybeans, needed green onions with every meal, would often say, ‘I’ll be John Brown!’ but of course, could never say who that was to us grandkids. OPJ, I’m so thankful for your love, kindness, generosity, support, laughter, wisdom, wittiness, and selflessness, from the moment I came into the world. You were always prepared, and always made a way. You paved the way for my siblings and I, whether it was my trumpet or music camp, and then with my own children. No matter the battles I faced, you were always there for me with encouraging words. You said, I was your girl, but really and truly, you were mine, and always will be. Get your rest and I will pray, work hard, and live right, so we’ll be together again one day. I love you!”
Lauren Nicole says, “I loved traveling with her to Arkansas and Chicago to see family. We shared personal jokes no one else understood, go to the malls, sometimes to get something special for me, she was a second mother and I loved being in her presence.”
Mario Stephen has a clear memory still of Dear Mommy teaching him how to make hot water cornbread the old-fashioned southern way. “Not that boxed Jiffy mix,” she would say.
Sister Opal’s good works didn’t stop at her front door, she was always involved in school community works. More importantly she worked in the Church of Christ community consistently where needed, from teaching Sunday School, going on door knocking campaigns, helping with the food pantry, back to school supply drive, and later in life being wheeled up to a table ready to box up goods for hurricane and storm victims. Greeting everyone and being greeted in turn. Often impatiently saying, “I’m ready to help with the next Church effort.
To cherish her memory, Sister Opal leaves one living sister, Doris Malcom (Chicago), her nieces Betty Woodward (Chicago), Gladys Adams (Detroit), Mayme Jackson (Arkansas), Opal Carol Malcolm (Chicago), and their families. Her daughters, Sharon Jones (Arkansas), Felicia Monk (Houston), Stephanie Monk Apicella (deceased), Son-In-Law Tom Apicella (San Antonio), and Melanie Monk Murrell (Houston). Her grandchildren, Giovanni Opal Bonnett, Ashley Denise Brinkley, Lauren Nicole Brinkley, Mario Stephen Brinkley all of Houston, Texas. Great-grandchildren, Gianni Opal & Isaiah Bonnett, Alijah, Aaliyah, and Amauri Brinkley, Sydney, Halle, and Caleb Duckett, Maurice & Judah Brinkley.
Sister Opal leaves a powerful legacy and example of, ‘A Life Well Lived’, to her family, friends, and the Church of Christ community. As stated by the Apostle Paul in 2Timonthy 4:7, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith”!
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