Opal Irene Summers
August 1, 1926 - June 4, 2012
Opal Irene Summers, age 85 of La Plata, Missouri, passed away Monday, June 4, 2012 at the La Plata Nursing Home.
Born August 1, 1926 in Allerton, Iowa, she was the daughter of Thomas Melvin and Reva P. (Rollins) Watson. On July 19, 1944 in Allerton, Iowa, she married William B. Summers who survives.
Also surviving are two sons, Richard and wife Marcella Summers of Sedalia, Missouri and Billy Joe Summers of La Plata, Missouri; one brother, Robert Watson of Unionville, Missouri; one sister, Twila Cobb of Davenport, Iowa; five grandchildren, Carolyn Summers, Amanda Summers, Shawn Summers, Richelle Reid, and Daniel Summers; and six great-grandchildren, Nathaniel Summers, Adrian Summers, Wesley Summers, Piper Reid, Claire Summers, and Ella Summers.
She was preceded in death by her parents, infant daughter, Rita Kay Summers, one brother, Donald Watson, and three sisters, Tina Frye, Gladys Watson, and Mary Moody.
Opal was a graduate of Allerton High School in Allerton, Iowa. She moved to Mercer County in 1946. She had been employed at Hy-Vee, Axtell Community Hospital, and Big G Food Store, all in Princeton, Missouri. She had also been a member of the First Baptist Church in Princeton. Opal then moved to La Plata in 1992 where she was a member of the La Plata Baptist Church. She served the children’s Sunday school department of both church’s for many years, and was a faithful volunteer at the La Plata Christian Ministries Food Bank. Opal enjoyed camping and spending time with her family.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, June 9, 2012 at the La Plata Baptist Church in La Plata, Missouri. A graveside service will follow at 3:00 p.m. at the Early Cemetery in Mercer, Missouri.
Visitation will be Friday, June 8, 2012 with the family receiving friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Travis Funeral Chapel in La Plata, Missouri.
Memorials in memory of Opal Irene Summers may be made to the American Diabetes Association. They may be sent to or left at Travis Funeral Chapel, 125 S. Church St., La Plata, Missouri 63549.
