Opal Viola Sanders

Funeral services for Opal Viola Sanders, age 95, of Rusk are scheduled for 11 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 15, 2020, at Oakland Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Don Copeland and Pastor Keith Hassell officiating. Burial will follow at Oakland Cemetery.

Opal Viola Halbert Sanders was born May 17, 1925, in Wills Point, Texas, to Samuel Joel Thomas Halbert and Dora Mae McManus Halbert. Opal was one of six girls and two boys. She lived most of her life in Cherokee County.

Opal married John Aubrey Sanders, who passed away in 1992. They had been married 46 years and had one son, Johnny Ra. Opal was a retiree from the Rusk State Hospital. She was a long-time member of Oakland Missionary Baptist Church.

Opal was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, four sisters, two brothers and great-grandson, Eric Michael Sanders. Survivors are her son, Johnny (Sandra) of Rusk; granddaughter, Lisa (Darryl) Hassell of Mesquite; grandson, David Sanders of San Antonio; sister, Tommie Hill of Brownwood; five great-grandchildren; and numerous nephews and nieces. Grandsons and nephews will serve as pallbearers.

Opal will be remembered for years to come for her delicious cooking, notably chicken dressing. She enjoyed nothing more than working in her yard, where a weed didn't have a chance of surviving. She was happiest when her family was in her home. She will be remembered fondly as "Granny" to the children she babysat in her retirement years.

Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m., Friday, Aug. 14, 2020. at Wallace Thompson Funeral Home-Rusk.