Opal Johnson

Opal Marie Nelms Johnson, 89, passed away on Friday, Nov. 22, 2019, at her home in Tampa, Florida. Opal was born Oct. 9, 1930, in Brookland, Arkansas to Dennis and Irene Nelms. She married Gene L. Johnson on March 7, 1948, in St Louis. They were married for 63 years when Gene passed away in 2011.

Opal graduated from Beaumont High School in St. Louis. She and Gene lived in various localities in the area before settling in St. Louis where Opal worked as traffic manager for the Benjamin Ansehl Company for 25 years.

Opal and Gene retired to Cape Girardeau for more than 20 years. After Gene passed, Opal moved to Florida to be near her children and grandchildren. Opal was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother.

Survivors include two sons, Phillip and wife Brenda Johnson of Valrico, Florida, and David and wife Sue Johnson of The Villages, Florida. She is also survived by brother Dennis R. Nelms of O'Fallon, Missouri; four grandchildren, Amy Nolte and her husband, Dave, Ellen Page, Emily Albritton and her husband, Steve, Greg Johnson and his wife, Claire; as well as seven great-grandchildren, Katie, Brad, Jake, Jason, Cami, Rhys and Sylvie; and two great-great-grandchildren, Sophia and Xavier. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and her sister Joy Dennis of Stamps, Arkansas.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Ray Duffey officiating. Entombment will be at Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum in Cape Girardeau.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Cure Alzheimer's Fund or a charity of choice.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.