Opal Veneta Cantrell

Opal Veneta Cantrell, daughter of the late John Wesley and Nancy Ann (Harper) Tate, was born on January 24, 1915 in Astoria, Missouri in Texas County, and departed this life on January 22, 2008 in the Texas County Memorial Hospital in Houston, Missouri, following a long illness. She was 92 years, 11 months, and 28 days of age.
Opal grew up and attended school in Texas County in the Bendavis Community. She was united in marriage to Burley Cantrell on October 28, 1939 in Hartville, Missouri. Four daughters were born to this union.
She was employed as a factory worker for several years and retired from the H.D. Lee Factory in Houston, Missouri.
Opal enjoyed being outdoors tending to her flower and vegetable gardens. She also enjoyed taking care of her family and cooking for her family and friends. She was known in the community as an excellent cook. She liked to quilt, sew, and make clothing for her girls while they were growing up.
She was a wonderful and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, neighbor and friend. She will be truly missed by those who knew and loved her.
While she remained in good health, Opal enjoyed attending services at the New Rock Springs Church.
Just as an opal is a precious stone, Opal was very precious to us.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter: Sharon Kay Cantrell; a son-in-law; and by four brothers and three sisters.
She is survived by her husband of sixty-eight years: Burley Cantrell of their home in Mtn. Grove, Missouri; three daughters: Eula Shobe of Springfield, Missouri, Joyce White and her husband, Gayle, of Mtn. Grove, Missouri, and Phyllis Melton of Houston, Missouri; seven grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; several nieces; nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Opal Cantrell were held Friday, January 25, 2:00PM in the Craig-Hurtt Chapel with Rev. Russell McDaris and Rev. Curtis Dowden officiating. Curtis Dowden, accompanied by Teresa Dowden, sang “Amazing Grace,” “What A Friend We Have In Jesus,” and “I’ll Meet You In The Morning.” Pallbearers were Dallas McColgin, Tim Jackson, Stanley Shobe, Zachary Hollingshad, Ethan Hollingshad, and Duncan Smith. Burial was in the Rock Springs Cemetery, Texas County, under the direction of the Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, Mtn. Grove, Missouri.


Funeral Services:
Friday, January 25, 2008 2:00 PM in the Craig-Hurtt Chapel.
Visitation:
Thursday: January 24, 2008 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM in the funeral home.
Burial:
Rock Springs Cemetery