Opal Arlene Dowden (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Opal Arlene Dowden was born May 15, 1947 in Lebanon, Missouri to Fred Sien and Bonnie Rogers Sien. She passed away Tuesday, July 16, 2024, in Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri. She was seventy-seven years, two months and two days of age.
Opal grew up in Lebanon and lived in the area her entire life. She followed the Baptist faith and attended Prosperine Baptist Church.
On June 8, 1968, Opal was united in marriage to her true love, Dale Edgar Dowden. They shared almost thirty-seven years of marriage before he passed away April 13, 2005.
In addition to her husband, Opal was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Randy Plummer and an infant that was a twin; four brothers, Orville, Leonard, Fred, Jr. and Albert; four sisters, Mary Ann Dowden, Dorothy Booker, Pauline Smith and Bonnie Rodden.
Opal is survived by her significant other, Thomas Sams; three daughters, Nancy Hamilton, Christina Wagner and husband Kendle, all of Lebanon, Missouri, and Rachel O'Donald and her husband Todd of Purdy, Missouri; three sons, Waylon Dowden, David Dowden and his significant other Tina, and Ricky Dowden and his wife Debbie, all of Lebanon, Missouri; one sister, Evalene McDaniel of Lebanon, Missouri; her brothers, Virgil Sien, Delbert Sien, Charlie Sien and Glen Sien, all of Lebanon, Missouri; nineteen grandchildren and forty-seven great-grandchildren.
Opal was a hard worker, both as a homemaker as well as outside the home. She was employed at H.D. Lee for twenty-five years where she was a seamstress. She made many life-long friends at H.D. Lee. Following her time there, she was employed at Emerson Electric for seven years.
In her spare time, Opal liked to go fishing, especially trout fishing at Bennett Spring State Park. She also enjoyed her flower garden and doing ceramics.
Most of all, Opal loved her family deeply and treasured the moments she could be with them. Her life rotated around her family and she loved cooking wonderful meals and desserts for big family gatherings.
Throughout her life, Opal was known for her unwavering dedication to her family, embodying the roles of a loving wife, devoted mother, and cherished grandmother and great-grandmother. Her home was a haven of warmth, love, and laughter, where countless memories were created and treasured.
Service for Opal Dowden will be Saturday, July 20, 2024 at 10 a.m. at Holman-Howe Funeral Home. Visitation will be held Friday evening, July 19 from 5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. in the funeral home. Burial will be in Mount Rose Memorial Park.
A memorial to St. Jude's or Project 360 or to the family to assist with funeral expenses has been established and donations may be left at the funeral home.
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