Opal Jones

Opal Williams Jones was the second of four children born to Willie Odell and Corine Laverne Moore Williams, was born September 8, 1923 in Jefferson, Texas. She graduated from Booker T. Washington High School, Dallas, TX, in May, 1940 and was one of the class speakers. Later, she graduated from Phillips Business College in Dallas, Texas.

On May 16, 1942, Opal married Johnie B. Jones, who preceded her in death. To this union, three girls were born, Sharon Laverne, Carolyn Ann and Marilyn Yvonne. The family was highlighted in the Dallas Morning News, when Johnie B. and Opal had two weddings and three graduations, in the summer of 1968. Sharon married her high school sweetheart and Carolyn married a Morehouse Man; Sharon received her Master’s Degree from TWU, Denton, TX, Carolyn received her Bachelor’s Degree from Spelman College in Atlanta, GA and Marilyn finished Roosevelt High School, Dallas, TX. It was a very busy summer and one that Opal enjoyed immensely.

Opal grew up in Munger Avenue Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas where she gave her life to Christ at a very early age. She credits her Sunday School teacher for motivating her to become a secretary because she assigned Opal to ‘call roll and count the money’ at a very young age. As a young mother, Opal took her two girls to that same Sunday School until Marilyn was born and Johnie B. took Baby Marilyn to church with him, telling Opal that "the Baptists have two, but this last one will be Methodist”. As a result, Opal joined old Boll Street CME Church (currently Cedar Crest Cathedral CME) in 1951, uniting all of her family at one church. Opal liked to say that although “all of the girls grew up as Methodists; they are now all Baptist”. Opal served in many capacities at Cedar Crest including Sunday School Teacher, President of Stewardess Board #2, Youth Director and Director of the Board of Christian Education. Her favorite scriptures, which were guiding principles throughout her life, were “‘Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths.’ (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV)”

While Opal’s family played the major role in her life, she had a memorable career, as a Secretary with Dallas Independent School District. She became an Executive Secretary and was soon recognized as one of the most respected and knowledgeable in the district. Although Opal had previously retired from the district, Assistant Superintendent Ruben Oliveras, selected her to train new secretaries and administrative assistants. Dr. T.R. Lee and Opal took summer positions at North Texas State University (currently UNT), becoming the first African-American professionals to work at the university. Additionally, Opal’s career included a position as the Society Editor for the Dallas Post Tribune.

Many talk about service, but Opal lived it and was recognized by countless organizations: 1969 Mother of the year, Cedar Crest Cathedral CME Church; 1978 Outstanding Service Award, Boys Scouts of America, Mustang District; 1990 Top Lady of the Year, Top Ladies of Distinction, Dallas Chapter; 1990 Woman of the Year Zeta Phi Beta, Inc., Kappa Zeta Chapter; 1992 Secretary of the Year, Dallas Post Tribune; 1996 Black Living Legend, Black Academy of Arts and Letters; 1999 Outstanding Columnist Recognition, Delta Sigma Theta, Dallas Alumni Chapter; and 2004 Barrier Breaker Honoree, North Texas State University (UNT) 50th Anniversary of Desegregation.

Opal Jones was a contributing member of the following civic and service organizations:

•Member – Links, Inc., Mid-Cities Chapter

•Life Member – Jack and Jill of America, Inc., Dallas Chapter Associates

•Life and Founding Member – Booker T. Washington/Lincoln Alumni Association

•Life Member – Maria Morgan YWCA;

•Volunteer – Baylor Hospital System

•Director Emeritus – Christian Education, Cedar Crest Cathedral CME Church

•Member – Mothers and Friends of Dallas Alumni Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta, Inc.

•Member – Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc., Dallas Chapter

•Member – Royal Art and Charity Club

•Member – Advisory Board of the Dallas Post Tribune

•Member – National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Club, Inc.

•Society Columnist/Editor – Dallas Post Tribune

Opal is survived by her loving daughters, Sharon (Everette) Gray of Herndon, VA; Carolyn (William) Henderson of Dallas, TX and Marilyn Foster of Houston, TX; Brothers, J.W. (Esterlyn) Williams of Los Angeles, CA; Carl (Marie) Williams of Dallas, TX and Leonard Williams of Dallas, TX; Sister Linda Hardy of Dallas, TX; adopted daughter, Lynda (Richard) Longstreet-Hall; six grandchildren: Colonel (USA) Sharette Kirsten (Rob Patrick) Gray, MD; Eric (Dr. Lisa Greene, PsyD) Henderson; Commander (USN) LaGena Kerri Gray (Albert) Yarbrough; Jone Kala (Marcus) Bullett, J.D.; Erin Henderson (Kellen Moore); and Mia Foster; adopted granddaughter: Chelsea and Cassidy Hall; eight great-grandchildren: William and Jackson Henderson; Benjamin Patrick; Miss Amari and Marcus Bullett, Jr.; Cameron and Miss Campbell Yarbrough; and Miss McKenzie Foster-Lewis and a host of other relatives and friends. Waiting to greet Opal in the loving arms of Jesus are her husband, Johnie B. Jones, her parents, Corine and Willie Odell Williams and her older brother, W.O. Williams.