Opal Yancey Eckard

Born June 10, 1925 in Catawba County, she was the daughter of the late Julius “June” Thurman Yancey and Minnie Pearl Hester Yancey. She was a homemaker and a lifetime member of Abernethy Memorial United Methodist Church. Opal previously served as a Sunday School teacher, choir member and youth leader. She served as President of the Methodist Women and served in various other capacities. Opal loved making chicken pies with the women of the church and visiting the shut-ins. She was so excited about this week’s Centennial Celebration at Abernethy, as she had been part of the church for 87 of its 100 years. Opal was a devoted , compassionate, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She worked along side her husband to build Eckard Vending Company. Gran will long be remembered for her fabulous chocolate pies that she prepared for friends and family. Her world revolved around her family and she absolutely adored and doted over her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Hugh Richard Eckard.

Survivors include her daughter, Elaine Hall and husband, Gordon of Conover; sons, Bruce Eckard and wife, Julie, of Conover, Chris Eckard and wife, Denise, of Jefferson, NC; grandchildren, Keisha Akers, Kristen Wilkinson, Bruce “Beau” Eckard, Whitney Blalock, Taylor Hall, Brooke Demoret, Brady Eckard; great-grandchildren, Luke Wilkinson, Owen Akers,

Braxton Eckard, Olivia Akers, Harrison Akers, Hines Akers, Brody Eckard, and an 8th great-grandchild due in May; sister, Sue Nolen of Cherryville, NC.

A service of remembrance will be held at Abernethy Memorial United Methodist Church in Newton on Thursday, April 18, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Jim Church officiating. Burial will follow the greeting of friends at Catawba Memorial Park in Hickory.

The family will greet friends following the service at the church.

Pallbearers will be, Beau Eckard, Taylor Hall, Brady Eckard, John Akers, Jason Blalock, and Mike Demoret.

Memorials may be made to Abernethy Memorial United Methodist Church, 109 West 13th Street, Newton, NC 28658, American Heart Association, PO Box 5216 Glen Allen, Virginia, NC 23058-5216, Catawba Regional Hospice, 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, NC 28658.