Opal M. Vass

Winnie Mae Mattingly. She attended Purcell schools for many years and graduated from

Norman High in 1958.

Opal married the love of her life Eddie Ray Vass on July 2, 1960. Shortly after, they were

stationed in Fort Riley, Kansas where their oldest son was born. A few years later they returned

to Norman, Oklahoma and their youngest son was born there. They settled in Moore, where

they were actively involved in their community and church, First Baptist Moore. During this

time Opal became a born again believer in Jesus Christ, and her love for the Lord shaped her

remaining years and her legacy to her family. Opal worked as an administrative assistant at

First Baptist Moore for a number of years, and she volunteered as a teacher of Sunday school,

RA’s and missions service. When their sons were older, Eddie and Opal both took jobs with

Williams Company, living in Tulsa for about 10 years. After retirement, they were happy to

settle back in Moore where they joined Emmaus Baptist Church and both were members there

until their passing. Opal took a part time position as the church secretary at Emmaus and

enjoyed her interaction with church members and staff a few days a week, while still leaving

plenty of time to babysit grandchildren. In addition, the couple had a passion for missions

which lead to them participating in and leading several mission trips, including to France and to

Rome, Italy.

Opal loved to travel, read and watch sports, especially the OU Sooners. Her greatest joy

besides the Lord was spending time with her family. Her grandchildren said she was the best

listener and one of their best friends. She was also a terrific cook and created many wonderful

memories for her family with her attention to detail and fabulous family meals. Opal was

described by many, including those attending her in her last days, as kind, pleasant, gentle and

thoughtful. She was loved by many.

Opal was preceded in death by her parents and by her husband of 58 years, Eddie Ray Vass, in

2019. She is survived by her sons and their wives, Curtis and Selynda Vass and Kim and Ginger

Vass; 9 grandchildren: Logan, Christin, Gabriel, Jonah, Terry and his wife Tiara, Pierce and his

wife Eden, Kylee, Makayla, and Drayden; and 4 great grandchildren. She also leaves behind her

brother Harold Mattingly and his wife Joy, and her sister Kathren Choate, all of Missouri, along

with numerous nephews, nieces, cousins and dear friends.

Because Opal’s family life was touched by adoption and foster care, in lieu of flowers, donations

may be made to the foster children’s camp, Camp Light at https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=KQJDC7BX8MBDL or checks can be mailed:

7208 Hackberry Circle

Manhattan Kansas 66503