Opal Phillips

OPAL PHILLIPS Mrs. Opal Phillips, age 104 a former longtime resident of Bolivar, MO, passed away at 1:00 PM Friday, January 18, 2008 at The Arbors of Ravenwood in Springfield, MO where she had received loving care for almost 1 1/2 years. She was born near Farley, MO in Platte County on October 17, 1903, the daughter of Niels Jensen, who had originally come from Denmark and Cora Belle (Hurlock) Jensen. There were also two sisters and a brother, all of whom are now deceased. Opal lived her early life in Weaubleau, MO where she graduated from High School in 1922. She attended Business College in Springfield and later got a job as a book-keeper in Kansas City where she met George W. Phillips and they were married on December 24, 1924. In 1927, George and Opal moved to a small farm outside Clinton, MO where their first child, a girl, was born and died. They had two more daughters while living at Clinton, MO, Rosalie and Frances. Later George bought a larger farm south of Stockton, MO and the family moved there in 1943. Opal worked hard on the farm, raising chickens and putting out a large garden. In addition, she made use of her artistic abilities by doing handiwork, piecing quilts and making clothes for her girls. At the end of 1968, George retired from farming and sold the Stockton farm. They bought a new house in Bolivar and moved there in January 1969, where they attended the First Baptist Church. George died on January 13, 1986 and Opal lived alone in Bolivar. She enjoyed going to bible study and she participated in the exercise class at the Polk County Senior Center. In July 2005, she moved to Springfield to live with her daughter and son-in-law. Surviving are two daughters, Frances Smith and husband, J. Stanley of Springfield, MO; Rosalie Ballad and husband Larry of Bristol, TN; 4 Grandchildren, Jane Bogue and husband Richard of Springfield, MO; Phillip Smith of Columbia, MO; Coleman Ballard of Bristol, TN and Tammy Tiziano and husband Nick of Phoenix, AZ. Also 6 Great Grandchildren, Joseph, Jocelyn and John Bogue of Springfield, MO; Domenico Tiziano of Phoenix, AZ and Gwenyth and Coleman Ballard of WI. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 from 12:30 to 1:30 PM at the Butler Chapel. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 at 1:30 PM in the Butler Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Bill Havens and Rev. Ray Leininger officiating. Musical Soloist was Richard Bogue with Rose Roweton as the Pianist. Musical Solos were "The Lord's Prayer" and "In The Garden" Congregational songs were "Love Lifted Me" and Softly and Tenderly". Burial will be in the Greenwood Cemetery in Bolivar under the direction of the Butler Funeral Home of Bolivar. Casketbearers were Richard Bogue, John Bogue, Jerry Phillips, Mike Stephens, Mark Stephens and Brad Wommack. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association % Butler Funeral Home, P.O. Box 11, Bolivar, MO 65613 Friends may sign the guest book or send private condolences at www.butlerfuneralhome.com PDF Printable Version

Opal Phillips

October 17, 1903 - January 18, 2008