October 1, 1919 – October 26, 2009

Opal Blyth, 90, of Orrick, Mo., passed away Monday, October 26, 2009 at the home.

Opal was born on October 1, 1919 in Ray County, Missouri, to Daniel T. Sharp and Fleta Mae (Mills) Sharp. She was a lifelong resident of the Orrick area. She was united in marriage on November 30, 1940 to Donald Kent Blyth. Opal was a self employed custodian in the community, cleaning various homes and businesses. She was a member of the Fleming Baptist Church.

Opal was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great great grandmother. She especially enjoyed time spent with her family.

Opal was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Donald Kent Blyth on May 20, 2007, two sons, Dannie Kent Blyth on January 25, 1967, and Donald Keith Blyth on September 15, 2009, and a daughter, Alice Mae O’Dell on October 12, 2009.

Opal is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Jackie D. Blyth and wife, Mary, and Ulvin “Bub” Blyth and wife, Brenda, all of Orrick, Mo.; a daughter, Martha Barnes-Martin of Independence, Mo.; a son-in-law, Jim O’Dell of Largo, Fla.; and a daughter-in-law, Linda Blyth of Orrick, Mo.; sisters, Ruby Broadhurst, Reba Clevenger, and Margaret Reynolds Williams, all of Excelsior Springs, Mo., Freda Skinner of Lawson, Mo., and Martha Dorton Jenkins of Richmond, Mo.; 10 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and five great great grandchildren, as well as a host of nieces and nephews.

The family will greet friends from 1 to 2:30 p.m., Saturday, October 31, 2009 at the Gowing Funeral Home in Orrick. Funeral services will follow at 2:30 p.m. at the funeral home, with the Reverend Donna Murphy-Ceradsky officiating. Musical selections by Mrs. Trudy Gaines. Burial in South Point Cemetery near Orrick. Pallbearers will be Jed Blyth, Jeff Blyth, Aaron Blyth, Steve Hess, Marcus McClelland, Joshua Price, Billy Morgan and Ray Mathews. Honorary pallbearers will be Ralph Shelton and Norman Barnard. Memorials in her honor may be given to one of the following local organizations, South Point Cemetery Association, Orrick Lions Club, Orrick Fire and Rescue or the Orrick Quarterback Club per the donor’s choice.

The family will gather at the home of Jack and Mary Blyth in Orrick, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, whereby friends are welcome to stop by.

Condolences

Ya know Opal and Donald were so good to me. I never was accepted in Orrick as a newcomer until I moved as their neighbor. I was thrilled with Opal’s laughter and Donald’s sarcasim (jokingly). They started out in their home on Fleming, then restarted after the flood of ’93. They both conveyed how they had to start over a second time, well, now they are starting out a third time, never to look back with interuptions. Third time is a charm, trust me! God bless that little girl as she can say hi to Donald for everyone.
Ralph Shelton