Opal Imogene Etheridge Sutton was born on November 10, 1907, in Texas, to her parents, William "Bill" and Marjorie "Margie." She was one of six siblings, with two brothers, Malcom and Ernest "Ernie," and three sisters, Jonnie Bone, Altha Lee "Lee," and Millerd "Millie."
In 1926, at the age of 19, she married Merle Eugene Sutton Sr. in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Opal was still in high school at the time. Their union brought two children into the world, Merle and Betty. However, the relationship with Merle Eugene Sutton was not a safe one, and it ended.
In the years following the dissolution of her marriage, Opal faced challenging times. The nation was in the midst of a financial crisis, approaching the Great Depression. Fortunately, Merle's parents provided assistance to Opal in caring for her children during this period.
Opal's life took a positive turn when she met Noel Conner Billingsley, whom she married on October 18, 1931. By the 1940s, Opal, Conner, and her son Merle worked together at a small laundry in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This is where Merle met Bonnie Bruner, whom he later married.
In the mid-1950s, both the Billingsley and Sutton families relocated to California, initially settling in San Diego and eventually moving further north to Santa Monica. They followed job opportunities and experienced various relocations throughout their lives. Opal and Conner even ventured as far north as Alaska at one point.
Opal and Conner were blessed with seven grandchildren, six of whom were Merle's children. Opal was a doting grandmother who spent countless hours crafting handmade gifts for her beloved grandchildren. She was a talented seamstress and a creative soul.
Opal's faith was an integral part of her life, rooted in her upbringing. Her father, William, was a preacher, and she inherited her spirituality from him. The family attended church regularly, and Sunday dinners at Opal's house became a cherished tradition.
Opal also played a crucial role in caring for her mother, Margie, during her declining years, serving as the glue that kept the entire family connected. She maintained close relationships with her sisters and brothers throughout her life.
Opal and Conner resided for many years on Marine and 6th Street in Santa Monica. In their senior years, they relocated to Riverside, California, alongside Opal's sisters, Millie and Lee.
Opal passed away on January 10, 1988, in Riverside County, California, at the age of 80. She found her final resting place in Santa Monica, California, next to her mother, Margie Etheridge. Her daughter Betty was by her side at the time of her passing, while her son Merle, living in Oklahoma, had visited her just prior to her passing.
Opal lived during a time of incredible inventions and discoveries, from the advent of television to space exploration. She experienced significant historical events, including women gaining the right to vote, world wars, and the moon landing. Her life was a testament to resilience, adaptability, and an appreciation for the progress of her time. "Grandmothers hold our tiny hands for just a little while but our hearts forever," and Opal's legacy lives on through her enduring love and cherished memories.
In 1926, at the age of 19, she married Merle Eugene Sutton Sr. in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Opal was still in high school at the time. Their union brought two children into the world, Merle and Betty. However, the relationship with Merle Eugene Sutton was not a safe one, and it ended.
In the years following the dissolution of her marriage, Opal faced challenging times. The nation was in the midst of a financial crisis, approaching the Great Depression. Fortunately, Merle's parents provided assistance to Opal in caring for her children during this period.
Opal's life took a positive turn when she met Noel Conner Billingsley, whom she married on October 18, 1931. By the 1940s, Opal, Conner, and her son Merle worked together at a small laundry in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This is where Merle met Bonnie Bruner, whom he later married.
In the mid-1950s, both the Billingsley and Sutton families relocated to California, initially settling in San Diego and eventually moving further north to Santa Monica. They followed job opportunities and experienced various relocations throughout their lives. Opal and Conner even ventured as far north as Alaska at one point.
Opal and Conner were blessed with seven grandchildren, six of whom were Merle's children. Opal was a doting grandmother who spent countless hours crafting handmade gifts for her beloved grandchildren. She was a talented seamstress and a creative soul.
Opal's faith was an integral part of her life, rooted in her upbringing. Her father, William, was a preacher, and she inherited her spirituality from him. The family attended church regularly, and Sunday dinners at Opal's house became a cherished tradition.
Opal also played a crucial role in caring for her mother, Margie, during her declining years, serving as the glue that kept the entire family connected. She maintained close relationships with her sisters and brothers throughout her life.
Opal and Conner resided for many years on Marine and 6th Street in Santa Monica. In their senior years, they relocated to Riverside, California, alongside Opal's sisters, Millie and Lee.
Opal passed away on January 10, 1988, in Riverside County, California, at the age of 80. She found her final resting place in Santa Monica, California, next to her mother, Margie Etheridge. Her daughter Betty was by her side at the time of her passing, while her son Merle, living in Oklahoma, had visited her just prior to her passing.
Opal lived during a time of incredible inventions and discoveries, from the advent of television to space exploration. She experienced significant historical events, including women gaining the right to vote, world wars, and the moon landing. Her life was a testament to resilience, adaptability, and an appreciation for the progress of her time. "Grandmothers hold our tiny hands for just a little while but our hearts forever," and Opal's legacy lives on through her enduring love and cherished memories.
Opal Imogene Etheridge Sutton was born on November 10, 1907, in Texas, to her parents, William "Bill" and Marjorie "Margie." She was one of six siblings, with two brothers, Malcom and Ernest "Ernie," and three sisters, Jonnie Bone, Altha Lee "Lee," and Millerd "Millie."
In 1926, at the age of 19, she married Merle Eugene Sutton Sr. in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Opal was still in high school at the time. Their union brought two children into the world, Merle and Betty. However, the relationship with Merle Eugene Sutton was not a safe one, and it ended.
In the years following the dissolution of her marriage, Opal faced challenging times. The nation was in the midst of a financial crisis, approaching the Great Depression. Fortunately, Merle's parents provided assistance to Opal in caring for her children during this period.
Opal's life took a positive turn when she met Noel Conner Billingsley, whom she married on October 18, 1931. By the 1940s, Opal, Conner, and her son Merle worked together at a small laundry in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This is where Merle met Bonnie Bruner, whom he later married.
In the mid-1950s, both the Billingsley and Sutton families relocated to California, initially settling in San Diego and eventually moving further north to Santa Monica. They followed job opportunities and experienced various relocations throughout their lives. Opal and Conner even ventured as far north as Alaska at one point.
Opal and Conner were blessed with seven grandchildren, six of whom were Merle's children. Opal was a doting grandmother who spent countless hours crafting handmade gifts for her beloved grandchildren. She was a talented seamstress and a creative soul.
Opal's faith was an integral part of her life, rooted in her upbringing. Her father, William, was a preacher, and she inherited her spirituality from him. The family attended church regularly, and Sunday dinners at Opal's house became a cherished tradition.
Opal also played a crucial role in caring for her mother, Margie, during her declining years, serving as the glue that kept the entire family connected. She maintained close relationships with her sisters and brothers throughout her life.
Opal and Conner resided for many years on Marine and 6th Street in Santa Monica. In their senior years, they relocated to Riverside, California, alongside Opal's sisters, Millie and Lee.
Opal passed away on January 10, 1988, in Riverside County, California, at the age of 80. She found her final resting place in Santa Monica, California, next to her mother, Margie Etheridge. Her daughter Betty was by her side at the time of her passing, while her son Merle, living in Oklahoma, had visited her just prior to her passing.
Opal lived during a time of incredible inventions and discoveries, from the advent of television to space exploration. She experienced significant historical events, including women gaining the right to vote, world wars, and the moon landing. Her life was a testament to resilience, adaptability, and an appreciation for the progress of her time. "Grandmothers hold our tiny hands for just a little while but our hearts forever," and Opal's legacy lives on through her enduring love and cherished memories.
In 1926, at the age of 19, she married Merle Eugene Sutton Sr. in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Opal was still in high school at the time. Their union brought two children into the world, Merle and Betty. However, the relationship with Merle Eugene Sutton was not a safe one, and it ended.
In the years following the dissolution of her marriage, Opal faced challenging times. The nation was in the midst of a financial crisis, approaching the Great Depression. Fortunately, Merle's parents provided assistance to Opal in caring for her children during this period.
Opal's life took a positive turn when she met Noel Conner Billingsley, whom she married on October 18, 1931. By the 1940s, Opal, Conner, and her son Merle worked together at a small laundry in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This is where Merle met Bonnie Bruner, whom he later married.
In the mid-1950s, both the Billingsley and Sutton families relocated to California, initially settling in San Diego and eventually moving further north to Santa Monica. They followed job opportunities and experienced various relocations throughout their lives. Opal and Conner even ventured as far north as Alaska at one point.
Opal and Conner were blessed with seven grandchildren, six of whom were Merle's children. Opal was a doting grandmother who spent countless hours crafting handmade gifts for her beloved grandchildren. She was a talented seamstress and a creative soul.
Opal's faith was an integral part of her life, rooted in her upbringing. Her father, William, was a preacher, and she inherited her spirituality from him. The family attended church regularly, and Sunday dinners at Opal's house became a cherished tradition.
Opal also played a crucial role in caring for her mother, Margie, during her declining years, serving as the glue that kept the entire family connected. She maintained close relationships with her sisters and brothers throughout her life.
Opal and Conner resided for many years on Marine and 6th Street in Santa Monica. In their senior years, they relocated to Riverside, California, alongside Opal's sisters, Millie and Lee.
Opal passed away on January 10, 1988, in Riverside County, California, at the age of 80. She found her final resting place in Santa Monica, California, next to her mother, Margie Etheridge. Her daughter Betty was by her side at the time of her passing, while her son Merle, living in Oklahoma, had visited her just prior to her passing.
Opal lived during a time of incredible inventions and discoveries, from the advent of television to space exploration. She experienced significant historical events, including women gaining the right to vote, world wars, and the moon landing. Her life was a testament to resilience, adaptability, and an appreciation for the progress of her time. "Grandmothers hold our tiny hands for just a little while but our hearts forever," and Opal's legacy lives on through her enduring love and cherished memories.
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