Opal B. Beene

OPAL B. BEENE, 98, of Maumelle died Thursday, May 26, 2016. She was grateful for every day, which made hanging out with her a pleasure. Everyone who met her came away with a sense of "that is how you do ninety eight" (in fact, that is how you do fifty eight, or twenty eight or eighteen). Opal was constantly making new friends and spreading light across every room she entered. She was well known for her pecan and cherry pies with homemade crust and fresh strawberry preserves. Born Sept. 17, 1917 in Lonoke County, Opal graduated top of her class from Lonoke High School in 1937. She went on to business school and started office work. She worked at Fern's Style Shop/Children's Bazaar in Jacksonville for 34 years. She was active in several civic organizations including all areas of parent/teacher association, women's clubs and served on the Pulaski County Cancer Board for 10 years. When asked by her granddaughter, Shelly to fill in one day at the Youth Home Inc. Thrift Store and Tea Room, that "fill in" lasted 15 years as a Youth Home volunteer. Through 71 years, Opal was actively involved in First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, where she served as church clerk for 15 years, children's teacher and department director for 27 years. She was a GA leader with her best friend, Gladys Reed for six years orchestrating outstanding coronation services that were recognized state wide. Her love for music led her to be a member of the choir for 50 years. Opal enjoyed the many friendships with the ladies or the Winsome Workers Sunday School class, along with trips and activities led by Senior Pastor Cliff Hutchins. History and Geography were her favorite subjects and that influenced her love of travel. Opal and Melvin traveled extensively and were blessed to see most of God's beautiful world. Opal was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence Melvin Beene; parents, Ezra and Mattie Baldwin; siblings, Ezra Baldwin Jr., Bernice Moore and Carlee Baldwin. She is survived by her children, Brenda Blankinship (Curtis) of Warren and Larry Beene (Ida) of Tyler, Texas; grandchildren, Shelly Zellner (Mark), Sheree Adams (Craig) of Maumelle, Jennifer Paul (Allen) of Tyler and eight great-grandchildren. Opal will be forever loved and remembered as a fun-loving, hard-working, selfless wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, daughter, employee, volunteer and friend. A celebration of her life will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 31, 2016 at First Baptist Church in Jacksonville with Senior Pastor Cliff Hutchins officiating. Visitation will follow after the service. Opal was interred at Crossroads Cemetery in Harrison prior to the celebration service. Memorial gifts may be made to First Baptist Church; 401 N. 1st Street; Jacksonville, Ark., 72076. Arrangements are by Moore's Jacksonville Funeral Home (501) 982-2136. Please sign the online guestbook at www.mooresjacksonvillefuneralhome.com.