Opal Hendricks

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our sweet, loving mother, Opal Martin Hendricks, age 99, on January 30, 2021. Born March 28, 1921, on a farm in Edmonson County, KY, she was the 10th and youngest child of James and Cora Martin. In 1940 she moved to Louisville where she met the tall, handsome love of her life. Opal and Marine Corps Sgt. Roy Hendricks were married on a hot July 4, 1943. He went off to fight the war in the south Pacific while she was on the home front working in the Curtiss-Wright airplane factory as "Rosie the Riveter". Back from the war, they started their family. In their retirement years, they spent several months at a time living at their cabin on Dale Hollow Lake where they enjoyed fishing, hosting family and friends, and just being together.

Opal was the ultimate volunteer from PTA and booster clubs to Saintly Treasures and Wesley House. She loved to travel and was ready to go anywhere, anytime. She was an avid reader and enjoyed writing letters and poetry.

Opal had an unwavering faith. A life-long Methodist, she was a member of Parkview United Methodist Church (now Garrs Lane) for 66 years where she served in several capacities, her favorite being pre-school Sunday School teacher.

Above all, Opal treated everyone with kindness and respect. She was loved by so many. Her greatest achievement was her family, and no one would want a better Mom, Granma, or Granny. She was a great role model. "Well done, good and faithful servant..."

Loved ones that are waiting for Opal in Heaven are her husband of 54 years, Roy Hendricks, her parents, her brothers and sisters, many nieces and nephews, and numerous friends. Loved ones who will miss Opal until they meet again are her daughter Theala Vincent (Larry); sons Gary Hendricks (Sherry) and Ricky Hendricks (Marian); niece who was like a sister, Mattie Hamilton; grandchildren Shawn Mouser (Scott), Jenny Vincent, Adam Vincent (Katie), and Michael Hendricks (Heather); 10 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.

Her funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm Wednesday at Heady-Hardy Funeral Home, 7710 Dixie Hwy, followed by burial at Louisville Memorial Gardens West. Visitation will be from 11 am until the time of the service Wednesday.

The family requests donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (stjude.org).