Opal G. Smith

1918—2010

Opal Gay Smith, 92 of Cantonment, entered into Eternal rest, Monday, December 6, 2010. Opal was the daughter of James Wesley Gay and Laura Elar Campbell, was born 29 June 1918, in Selma, Dallas County, Alabama, a twin. Lived at 2205 West Interlacken Street since 1944,to Cantonment, 1977 till September 1999, moved to 1700 North 2nd Street, Pensacola Retirement Village now Westminster Village to Baptist Manor Nursing Home, 2 ½ years.

She was married to James Thornton Smith, on Wednesday 6 November 1935 in Selma, Alabama, was then divorced at the age of 59, Opal then married Frank B. Chandron in 1980 till his death in 1987. She then remarried James on the 9 July 1990 until his death in 2000.

Opal and James had two children, Felix Thornton Smith and Alice Faye Smith, Felix married Sandra Lee Merritt , now of Pascagoula, Ms., and Alice Faye Married Robert Von Hilburn, now of Cantonment, FL. (In Marietta, Pa from 1970 till 1993) retired in Pensacola, Fl.

Opal had been a farmer’s wife, in Perry County Alabama and Dallas County Alabama, until world War II, then came to Mobile, Alabama Shipyard area, and worked at a Cigar Factory in Alabama. Also was a clerk at Sears in Mobile, Alabama, then Steins, Pensacola and waitress and cook at Curleyville, Bayou Chico, Pensacola.

She was very family oriented and lived for family, friends and church. She joined Pensacola Baptist Temple, May 1981 and moved later to Cottage Hill 1st Baptist Church, Cantoment.

She had six brothers and one sister. One living, James Wesley, Jr and his wife Rexine of South Florida, from Conn. And one sister in-law Jaunita Gay from Texas. Ninteen nieces and nephew and one Smith niece living, Barbara L. Rosser, Selma, Alabama.

Opal had five grandchildren- Robert Stephen, December 29, 1959; Rockie K., December 15, 1961; Taffie P. January 10, 1962; Troy L. July 29, 1964 and Tracey L. May 9, 1967. Fourteen great Grandchildren, Brandy Lynn August 31, 1982; Rockie Jr. February 10, 1985; Matthew Steven, November 18, 1985, Abbie Kristine, October 2, 1987, Wm. Brock, March 31, 1983, Nakita Marie, August 27, 1986, H. Brook January 1992, Olivia P. December 4, 1993, Chad L. March 4, 1996, Emily Jade March 14, 1998, Hannah Lee November 20, 1989, Daphne Lyn July 31, 1994, Lydia k. July 30, 1997 and Ashton N. June 15, 1999.Four Great-Great Grandchildren Michael Steven August 23, 2004, Caden Robert October 28, 2004, Trinity Jaden June 13, 2006 and Caylee Rae October 15, 2010.

Visitation will be 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 am Thursday, December 8, 2010 at Bayview Fisher-Pou Chapel 3351 Scenic Highway, Pensacola. Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, December 9, 2010 at Bayview Fisher-Pou Chapel, with burial to follow at Bayview Memorial Park. The family will then meet at the church at 1p.m. Pastor Mark Torrez of Cottage Hill 1st Baptist Church, Cantonment, will officiate.

Arrangements under the direction of Bayview Fisher-Pou Chapel, Pensacola, FL.