Opal Shade

Opal Christine Shade was born on March 11th, 1935 in Lost City, OK the daughter of Troy Steelmon and Jewel (Warren) Steelmon. She attended school at Hulbert, OK. On September 8th, 1951, she married the love of her life, Leonard Shade, and together they raised 6 children and enjoyed a beautiful relationship that ended with Leonard’s passing in 2008. Christine worked at the Oklahoma Headstart Program, as well as nursing aide work and a variety of jobs. The most important job to Christine was wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend. She was “Granny “ to everyone in the community, and she loved them all like she was their own. She was extremely gifted and did quilting and sewing, making exquisite Tear Dresses. She liked to play Bingo, attend garage sales and flea markets looking for a bargain, and working in her garden. There are things you’re bound to remember about Granny Christine and one of them was her prowess in the kitchen. She made the most wonderful onion rings, fried green tomatoes, wishi, and kanvchi. She fried the best fish and made biscuits and bread that melted in your mouth. If you left Granny’s house hungry, you didn’t try very hard. Her door was always open to any and all. She adored her children grandchildren and great grandchildren, and delighted in watching them blossom and grow. She was determined, resourceful and loving. A Christian by faith, she attended the Swimmer Baptist Church, and thought of the congregation as her extended family. The Lord called his good and faithful servant home to join her husband on September 2nd, 2013 at Tahlequah, OK with her loved ones gathered close to her side. She was 78 years old. She will be missed for her love, her wisdom and because she was “Granny.”

Christine is preceded in death by her husband, her parents,and three brothers, Buel Massingale, Donald Steelmon, and Eugene Steelmon. Those left to cherish Christine’s memory include her loving children, Loy Shade and wife Dodie, Watie Shade and Michelle Wilson all of Tahlequah, Joe Shade and wife Edna of Moodys, Sue Ann Shade of Park Hill, Albert Shade and wife Brenda of Tahlequah, and Marsha Dodson and husband Rodney of Stilwell. Her brothers and sisters include James Steelmon and wife Pat of Lost City, Marvin Steelmon and wife Dayla of Coweta, Leslie Steelmon and wife Karen of Lost City, Maxine Watkins of Stillwater, Janetta Steelmon and sister-in-law, Maxine Neugin both of Lost City. She leaves three adored friends, Andy Bird, Leanne Corbell, and the church family at Swimmer Baptist Church. Her legacy and love of life lives on in her 12 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren with one soon to arrive, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends and loved ones.