Mrs. Opal M. Smith

Opal May Smith passed away on May 5, 2011 at the age of 94. Opal was born April 1, 1918 to Robert Newton Ragsdale and Ella Mabelle Dixon in Delano, California. She was one of 8 children, where their large family enjoyed playing music together and pulling taffy. Opal graduated from Delano High School in 1936.

Opal married Tommy Walker March 31, 1942, and had her first son, Randall Thomas Walker, in 1944. Thomas Walker was listed as missing in action in World War II and never returned to his wife and young son.

Opal married Maurice Smith and they were married in Delano October 24, 1947. They then moved to a small farm on Clarkson Avenue in Kingsburg. Their daughter, Sherida Lynn, was born in 1948 and their son, Maurice Wayne was born in 1952, with all 3 children attending Kingsburg schools. Maurice and Opal operated the Red Rooster Drive In here in Kingsburg from 1970 to 1979, where Opal had an opportunity to enjoy the company of many Kingsburg residents.

Opal was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She loved babies and children and managed to strike up conversations with them wherever she went. Opal is survived by her 3 children, Randall and Debbie Walker of Clovis, Sherida Russell of San Diego, Marty and Pauline Smith of Kingsburg, 5 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren (with one more on the way) and her sister, Dorothy Logan, of Delano. Opal was preceded in death by her husband Maurice in 1980.

We will miss your kind and loving presence in our lives, like the glue holding us together, Mom, grandmother, great grandmother, sister.

Graveside services will be held Friday, May 13th, at the Kingsburg Cemetery at 10 am.