Opal Starr Doss

Opal Starr Doss was born in Elkhart, Texas on October 23, 1919 to Allen Starr and Alda Connell Starr. She grew up on the family farm between Elkhart and Palestine during the Great Depression. The Starr farm was self-sufficient and the children only learned of the depression through stories from traveling men looking for work. There were plenty of children to do the work but no one ever left hungry or scorned - and that’s how Opal lived her life. She played basketball with her sisters and cousins on the Elkhart High School girl’s basketball team before graduating in 1936 and moving to Dallas to attend beauty school.

After receiving her beautician license Opal met and married Elbert Doss in Crockett, Texas and moved to Houston in 1940. They shared a small garage apartment on Crockett Street with another couple and between them Elbert and Opal brought home $12 per week and paid $8 per week in rent. They had coffee, a piece of toast and shared one egg for breakfast their first year together. Opal worked at Bales Barber and Beauty Shop at 1716 Houston Avenue until purchasing her own shop at 3110 Houston Avenue in 1945. When the I-45 freeway displaced much of that neighborhood, she relocated to 733 Studewood in1965, where she remained until her retirement in 1995. Between 1965 and 1980, Mrs. Doss coiffured over1600 heads of hair for Heights and nearby funeral homes. After her husband’s death in 1997, Opal enjoyed sewing, traveling, leading senior exercise classes, and beautifying shut-ins that could no longer make the trip to a beauty shop. She remained an active pillar in her Woodland Heights neighborhood until 2008

Mrs. Doss is preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Elbert Doss; her parents Allen Starr and Alda Connell Starr; and two brothers and four sisters. Survivors include Allen Doss and wife Susan, three grandchildren Bonnie Nall and husband Tanner, Travis Doss and Matt McSwain and wife Kara; great grandchildren Miller, Campbell, Ashley, Kiley, and Maggie McSwain and McCoy Nall; and many nieces, nephews and in-laws.

Opal's family wishes to thank the staff of Austin North Assisted Living and Kindred Gentiva Hospice Foundation for their unwavering care, support, friendship and love for Opal during her final journey.

Arrangements under the direction of Heights Funeral Home, Houston, TX.