Opal Gordon's Obituary
Opal A. Gordon, 94, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 25 in Houston, Texas. Opal was born in Essex, Missouri June 22, 1918 to Bess and James M. Anderson. The family later moved to Memphis, Tennessee where she graduated from South Side High School. Opal had a beautiful voice and sang in the choir and was also an inductee into the National Honor Society. On June 15, 1937 she married John Lloyd Gordon of Memphis. They were married 65 years until his death in 2002. While in Memphis, Opal attended St. Luke’s Methodist Church. She was in the Martha Circle of Kings Daughters and worked tirelessly with some of the residents of the Home for Incurables. She was involved with Eastern Star and volunteered for many Memphis charities. She was a true child of God in heart and spirit and shared her unconditional love with many people throughout her life. In 1962 the Gordons moved to Dallas, Texas and made their home in Richardson. Opal was a dedicated member of Spring Valley Methodist Church and was a charter member of Schola Club of Dallas. She enjoyed playing bridge, sewing, traveling, volunteer work, gardening and cooking. One could always find Opal busy in the kitchen preparing food for her family, friends and neighbors, and she shared her delicious pear cake with everyone. She was generous with her time and energy and was a gracious Southern lady. She knew the true meaning of friendship and her keen sense of humor was a special part of her warm personality. She is survived by her son, James L. Gordon, Memphis; two daughters, Judy Florence and her husband Lewis of Houston, Texas and Lisa Gunn and her husband Lloyd of Arkansas City, Kansas; granddaughters Camille Greene and husband Randy, Winter Springs, Florida; Blythe Riggs, New Smyrna Beach, Florida and Lacey Elliott and husband Robert, Woodland Park, Colorado; great-grandchildren Brett Riggs, Connor and Caleb Elliott, and Dylan and Ashlyn Greene. She leaves a sister Mary Crowe of Memphis; numerous nieces and nephews and cherished friends. She is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, two sisters, Mildred Hays Voice and Elizabeth Rogers, an infant brother, Edward, one nephew and two nieces. Our family would like to extend our gratitude to the staff and the wonderful care-givers at The Atria in Houston who surrounded Opal with their warmth and kindness during her illness. In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.
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