Opal Earlene Short

Opal Earlene Short
1928-2022
Surrounded by family, heaven gained another angel with the passing of Opal Short on Dec 6th, 2022. She was born in Earlsboro, OK on July 27th, 1928 to parents Francis "Pat" and Frida Mae (Poage) Barrett. When Opal was 6 years old her parents and her sister Mary moved to Oklahoma City to begin a new life. She has stated many times these were some of the happiest times in her life playing with her little sister and numerous aunts. She said we were poor but didn't know it. Lotta love in our house.
When she was a teenager, Mom stated she spent a lot of time with her dad going to baseball games at the local minor league park, although she was not a big baseball fan she went so she could spend time with her dad. She said I finally just got a job working in the concession stand to make some money, so this was the beginning of her work in public service. Opal worked in the service industry most of her life. One of the highlights was working at Katz Drug Store when the sit in protests occurred during the fifties, she stated she almost lost her job because she started serving everyone sitting at the counter color didn't matter to her, if you're hungry she was going to feed you. During the 60's and 70's she worked alongside my dad running their produce company and raising her family. After my dad died in 1987 mom went back to work in the service industry including petro, OKC Zoo, Floyd's RV, and her final working at Monroney Jr High in the lunchroom. She stated, "I really enjoyed working with all those ladies especially, Beverly. Opal retired from there in 2015 at the ripe old age of 88. By my estimate she spent 75 years in the workforce. She spent the remainder of her days being a mom and grandmother enjoying her days as a retiree.
She leaves behind a legacy of making sure everyone knew they were loved and well fed. She was the poster child for what a mother should be. You never left her house on an empty stomach and without a hug. Several of Rodger's friends would always come over after football practice because they knew Opal wouldn't let them leave hungry.
Her final words were.I love you more!!
Preceded in death by her husband (DC), parents, 1- sister (Mary), 2-sons (Ron Acree and Don Edwards and daughter (Karen). She is survived by Son, Rodger (Deborah) of Edmond and 1 sister (Joyce).
Grandsons: Donnie, Gary, Jeff, Justin, Josh and Matt also granddaughters: Sherry, Lisa, Courtney, Amber and Heather. 21 Great- Grandkids. Daughter-in-laws: Tess Acree and Cynthia Edwards; Son-in-law, Grover Nix.
Services are set for 10:00 am, Saturday, December 1, 2022 at Ford Funeral Home in Midwest City with burial at Sunny Lane Cemetery following the service.