Opal Schrader Hamilton, age 85, went home to be with the Lord on January 24, 2013. She was born in Chilton, Texas on October 25, 1927 to parents Gus and Elizabeth Schrader. She is preceded in death by her sister, Ruby Porter and brother Wesley Schrader. Opal is survived by her loving husband of 63 years William R. Hamilton, son, Lonnie Hamilton and his wife Connie , daughter, Deborah Hamilton; three grand-children, Parker Hamilton and his wife Janet, Katie Schleider and her husband Robby and Ginny Wiley and her husband Carter, and five great-grandchildren, Kate, Quinn, Brynlee, Reid and Camryn; sister-in-law, Emma Schrader and numerous nieces and nephews. Opal graduated from Chilton High School. She received her BS degree from Wayland Baptist College and her Masters from the University of Houston. She served as Student Body President while at Wayland Baptist and was later selected as the Alumni Homecoming Queen. Opal began teaching in 1949 and worked 36 years in the field of
Education. The last 25 years were at Cypress Fairbanks School District in Texas before retiring in 1988. In 1969 she was selected as Teacher of the Year. She served as President of the Gulf Coast Council of Exceptional Children and was one of the pioneers that helped establish the foundation for the Special Olympics Program in the Houston area. Opal was Director of Special Education and later became the Assistant Superintendent of Special Services. After retiring, she became the interim Preschool Director
at Houston’s First Baptist Church where she attended since 1977. She also accepted a three year assignment as Supervisor of Alternative Certification interns for Region Four of the State of Texas. In 1992 Opal was honored by having a new Cy Fair school named after her-Opal Hamilton Middle School.
Friends are invited to a visitation with the family on Sunday, January 27, from 4pm-6pm at Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home , 12800 Westheimer Rd, Houston, Texas 77077. A Memorial Service will be held in her honor at 1:00 on Monday, January 28, 2013 at Houston’s First Baptist Church, 7421 Katy Frwy, Houston, Texas.
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