Opal Laura Evelyn [Poole] Blevins 1905-2012

HULLINGER, POOLE, BLEVINS, HEMBRY, CHAMBERS, OBRIEN, GRIMES BELKEY, LENZ, SCHULTZ, DAVIS, MCKEE

Posted By: Curtis (email)
Date: 6/17/2012 at 10:51:40

DEATH NOTICE:

(The Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Iowa May 30, 2012)

BLEVINS, Opal Laura Evelyn, 106, of Knoxville, Iowa, formerly of Decatur and Wayne Counties, died on Friday, May 18, 2012 at the Griffin Nursing Center in Knoxville, Iowa. Funeral services for her were held on Monday, May 21, 2012 at Christ's Church with Pastor Joel Andrus officiating. Interment followed in the Leon Cemetery, Leon, Iowa.

For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made tot he Griffin Nursing and Rehabilitation Center or the New Salem Baptist Church, Pleasanton, Iowa.

Obituary -

(The Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Iowa May 30, 2012)

OPAL LAURA EVELYN BLEVINS ... Opal Laura Evelyn Blevins was born September 30, 1905 near Leon, Iowa the daughter of Alma and Charlotte [Hullinger] Poole.

Opal was raised, received her education and taught school in and around the Leon, Iowa area. On March 25, 1928 she was united in marriage to Howard Nason Blevins in Leon. The couple lived and farmed in Decatur County where their five children were born. In 1940 they moved to Wayne County and continued farming there until her husband's death in 1972. Then she moved to Corydon, Iowa and lived there until 1983. From there Opal moved into the Good Life Retirement Center at Norwalk, Iowa, to be near her oldest daughter, Alberta. In 1994 she moved to Oak View I, in Knoxville, near her daughter, Beverly. In May 1999, Opal moved to Griffin Nursing Center in Knoxville.

As a teenager, Opal was converted and baptized into the New Salem Baptist Church near Pleasanton, Iowa. She later attended the New Zion Methodist Church close to their farm in Wayne County. While she lived in Corydon, she attended attended the First Baptist Church.

Opal always enjoyed church, bible study, and the fellowship of bible-loving people. She was a conscientious homemaker and she loved her family and friends.

Opal passed away on Friday, May 18, 2012 at the Griffin Nursing Center, in Knoxville, at the age of 106 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Howard; brother, Carl; sister, Hazel Hembry; sisters-in-law: Geri Poole, Grace Poole and Iroline Chambers; sons-in-law: Pete O'Brien, Doyle Grimes and Frank Belkey; grandson-in-law, Michael Lenz; grandson, Calvin Grimes and one nephew, Donnie Schultz.

Those left to honor her memory include her children: Alberta Belkey of Waukee; Beverly O'Brien David (Gene) of Waukee; Marilyn Grimes of West Columbia, South Carolina; Marcia McKee (Harold) of Littleton, Colorado and Lynn Blevins (Joyce) of Marshalltown; 13 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great grandchildren; 3 step-grandchildren; 6 step-great grandchildren; 3 step-great great grandchild; brother, Edwin Poole of Corydon, Iowa and many other family members and friends.