Mattie Opal Perkins, 95, passed away April 8th 2021. Opal, as everyone called her, was born at Camp Worth in San Augustine County on September 25, 1925 to Charles and Clara Cody. Opal spent her childhood at Camp Worth, an East Texas sawmill town, and later moved to Nacogdoches after her father died. Opal graduated from Nacogdoches High School in 1943. After graduating from high school, Opal went to work for Southwestern Bell as a night-shift operator where soon thereafter she met the love of her long life, Harold “Sally” Perkins who signed on as an outside lineman for the telephone company after returning from WWII.
Sadly, Sally passed away in 2010 after 64 years of marriage, but Opal kept that flame going while missing him terribly.
Opal valued her friendship with her coffee buddies who were often seen together almost daily it seems just to talk. While their friendship was tied together mostly around everyone’s kids, the real connection was their love of Christ and membership at Fredonia Hill Baptist Church.
Opal loved going to Fredonia Hill and rarely missed a service until she could no longer go. She said that Fredonia Hill had the friendliest people in the world and when she could be there she more than did here part welcoming visitors, especially the college kids. She always wanted to get to Church early and would hang around after services just to be at Church where her friends were. She loved that Church and that Church loved her no doubt. Opal was a talker and anyone that met her came to know that. She wasn’t shy. Even as her speech failed her a few years ago, she kept trying to talk to whoever she came across. Maybe you couldn’t always understand what she was saying but her smile told you she was telling you something happy.
Opal was a night owl. Night after night you would find her staying up late with her favorite hobby, sewing. She was a master seamstress. Many will remember her amazing ability to create whatever was called for with her sewing machine. She will long be remembered the many hours she spent helping design and creating dance costumes for local dance recitals not only for her daughters but for so many others.
Opal is survived by her four children: Pam Albin and husband Terry of Spring TX, Hal Perkins and wife Jennifer of Houston TX, Rhonda Barnhart and husband Jeff of Cushing TX, and Tracy Buzonas and her husband Jeff of Spring TX; grandchildren: Cody Albin, Margot Perkins, Harry Perkins, Joslyn Buzonas Flores and Cassie Buzonas; great-grandchildren: Cody Albin Jr and Parker Flores; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by husband Harold and granddaughter Shae Albin.
The family would like to thank the caregivers at Rock Haven Nursing Center. They were always there for the family.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, April 15, 2021, at Cason Monk-Metcalf Sunset Chapel from 11:00AM-12:00PM followed by a Graveside Service at 12:30PM at Sunset Memorial Park with Bro. Mark Clark officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made In Opal’s memory to Fredonia Hill Baptist Church at 1711 South Street, Nacogdoches, Texas 75964.
Arrangements are under the direction of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors, Nacogdoches.
DONATIONS
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18