Opal Warren Yarborough

(11/14/2002)Opal Warren Yarborough 1903 - 2002 Opal Warren Yarborough, born in Murchison, Texas, on June 12, 1903, the daughter of Frank and Jonnie Ard Warren, died peacefully in her home in Austin on Sunday, November 10, 2002. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Ray Warren; her son, Richard Warren Yarborough; and her husband of 67 years, Ralph Webster Yarborough, former U.S. Senator for Texas. She and her husband shared childhood in Chandler, Texas. She graduated in 1924 with honors from C.I.A. College, Denton (now Texas Woman's University) and taught home economics for four years before her marriage in 1928. She was among the first recipients to receive the T.W.U. Distinguished Alumna Award in 1969. She was Deputy District Clerk for Travis County while her husband served in World War II. She was a charter member of PEO Sisterhood, BQ Chapter, and the Austin Woman's Federation, an organizer of the Austin Lawyer's Auxiliary, a past president of the American History Club Austin chapter, and of the Austin Art League. She was an active member in many Washington, D.C. groups including Senate Spouses; board member of Congressional Wives; nominating committee of Woman's Nat. Democratic Club; Congressional Circle Friendship House; Texas Ladies Society. She saw a need and helped with the publication of visitor guides in Washington sites. She was her husband's wise counsel during his many political campaigns, and used her organizational talents to bring people together on the campaign trail. She was not one to sit still when there was work to be done. She was an avid reader and enjoyed sewing groups, especially needlepoint which she taught. Her home was her strength and her gift to her family and the many she graciously hosted. She inspired many younger women, family and friends and campaign workers, with her quiet courage during her long productive life. Opal Yarborough is survived by her daughter-in-law, Ann Yarborough of Arlington, Virginia; her three grandchildren, the Reverend Dr. Clare McJimsey Yarborough of Somerset, Massachusetts, Elizabeth Yarborough Street and husband, Lyle of Santa Ana, California, and Jefferson Buchanan Yarborough, a student at Pomona College; three great-grandchildren, Caroline, Olivia, and Ava Street; cousins, Claudia Carter of New Braunfels and Elizabeth Colquitt of San Angelo; niece, Doris Warren Alexander of Victoria; and a large extended family of her husband which she always considered her own family. The family will receive friends from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., Thursday, November 14, 2002, at Cook-Walden Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, November 15, 2002, in the Colonial Chapel of Cook-Walden Funeral Home. Private interment services will follow at 3:00 p.m. at the Texas State Cemetery. The family appreciates the help of Dr. Brenda Rude, Interim Healthcare, Dorothy Belcher, Thelma Williams, Percy Elliott, Deloris Roe, Betty Jones, Brenda Gash, Francine Wilson, Lee Henry, and many others who made her last years pleasant ones. Opal Yarborough enjoyed classical music and opera, and requested contributions may be made to KMFA, 3001 N. Lamar, Austin, Texas 78705.