Opal St. Gemme's Obituary
Opal Virginia St. Gemme, daughter of August and Mettie Mungle Cook, was born August 14, 1912, in Patton, Missouri. She departed this life Tuesday, August 22, 2006, in Christian Health Care South in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of ninety-four years and eight days. On April 17, 1930, she was united in marriage to Clifford St. Gemme, and to this union three daughters were born. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Clifford, on July 28, 1980; an infant daughter, Betty Louise; one grandson; five brothers and three sisters. Opal is survived by two daughters, Carolyn Whitford, and her husband, Herschal, of Lebanon, Missouri, and Pat Howard, of Kansas City, Missouri; six grandsons, Wade Whitford, H. Joe Whitford, Timothy Smith, Steve Howard, Richard Howard, and James Howard; six great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Ruth Head, of Mobile, Alabama; a number of nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends. She was born in Patton, Missouri, and attended school in the Elvins, Missouri area. Most of her life was spent in the Desloge and Sullivan, Missouri areas, until she and Clifford retired and moved to Ft. Walton Beach, Florida. After Clifford’s passing she moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and lived there until moving to Lebanon, Missouri, in 2005 to be close to her family. In addition to being a homemaker, she was employed by Trim Foot Shoe Company as a credit manager. Opal had made her profession of faith and was a faithful and active member of the Methodist churches in the areas where she lived, serving in various leadership positions. She was always interested in her community, serving as a Girl Scout leader, hospice volunteer, and was honored for her many hours of volunteer services at the Humana Hospital in Florida. Her family was very important to her and she loved preparing meals for them. She was especially known for her blueberry pies. Opal was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and her accomplishments and will cherish the wonderful memories she created for her family and friends. Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, August 26, 2006, in Park View Cemetery, Farmington, Missouri. Visitation will be held Thursday from 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. in the Funeral Home. Services are under the direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Lebanon, Missouri.
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