Opal Hughes

Opal was one of the kindest and most loving people. She was the best listener who would not only give you advice, but also the shirt off her back if you needed it. Opal took pride in everything she did, whether it be teaching her grandkids to cook, planting flowers in her garden or driving a school bus, which she did in Polk County for 32 years. She was a Godly woman who attended Westwood Missionary Baptist Church for many years.

Opal was predeceased by her husband of 45 years, James Edgar Hughes Sr., her son James Ricky Hughes, parents Ethel and James Anderson and her siblings Jennie “Polly” Pauline Lindsay, James Willis Anderson, Howard Preston Anderson, Charles “Chuck” Gilmar Anderson, Harvey Lee Anderson, Kenneth “Pete” Eugene Anderson, David Wayne Anderson, Judy Carol Anderson Craver and Robert Edward Anderson. She is survived by her daughter Barbara Ann Hughes Sanbower and her husband Andrew Francis Sanbower, her son James Edgar Hughes Jr. and his wife Shannon Hughes, her daughter-in-law Christy Hughes, brother Henry Neal Anderson, sister Connie Sue Anderson Null and her grandchildren Aaron, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Susan, Mindy, James II, Chris and Connor. Opal is also survived by her 13 great-grandchildren along with a multitude of nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends who will miss her dearly.

A visitation will be held at Ott-Laughlin Funeral Home in Auburndale on Friday, May 5, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM with a funeral service to begin at 11:00 AM. Following the funeral will be a graveside service to take place at Glen Abbey Memorial Gardens in Auburndale.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in Opal’s name to the Westwood Missionary Baptist Church.