OPAL GRACE McCULLOUGH FRIEND

Opal Friend, Gainesville, MO, passed away May 2, 2009 at the Gainesville Health Care Center in Gainesville, MO at the age of 96 years. She was born June 30, 1912 in Mounds, OK, the daughter of Steve and Aleva Wiggins McCullough.

She and Willie Friend were married on June 7, 1928 in Chandler, OK. She loved spending time outdoors and working in her flower gardens. She was a member of the Church of Christ.

Opal is survived by six children Lucille Donley of Isabella, MO, Elma Hambelton of Gainesville, MO, Ada Beard of Rockbridge, MO, Buddy Friend of Kansas City, MO, Wanda Beard of Gainesville, MO, and Billy Friend of Butler, MO; thirty grandchildren; sixty great grandchildren; and fifty-four great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Willie Friend; one infant daughter Bonnie Friend; one son Tesley Friend; four grandsons Earnest Friend, Buddy Friend Jr., Kenny Friend, and David Hambelton; one granddaughter Christy Friend; and one great granddaughter Sarah Perry.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, May 4, 2009 at Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Gainesville, MO with Joe Friend officiating. Interment will be in the Friend Cemetery, Isabella, MO. Visitation will be Monday from 1:00 PM to service time at the funeral home. Memorials can be made to the Friend Cemetery or Fair Haven Children's Home.