Opal Marie (Woods) Franke

Opal Marie (Woods) Franke, beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great-great grandmother & friend; born on January 23, 1920 in Union County, New Mexico, passed from her earthly life on February 5, 2010 in Baytown, Texas at the age of ninety.

Opal or as her loving family knew her as “Grammaw” or “Meme”, has been a resident of the Highlands area for the past thirty years. Opal was known by her family and friends as always being full of life and always on the move and love to be apart of the community here in Highlands; from being the Chaplain of the “High Flyers” and being remembered for her lovely prayers, a member of the “Grandmothers Club” as the club president, her time as an Eastern Star at Crosby Chapter 261, or her love of being a part of the events and participating in the “Highlands Community Center” activities, not forgetting her devotion and active attendance at the First Baptist Church of Highlands. She will be deeply missed by those that knew and loved her, especially her family who will always cherish the special memories of her, and her over abundance of love she had for them and spending as much time as possible with them.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband of forty years, William “Bill” T. Woods; son, Billy D. Woods; and her husband of thirteen years, Monroe W. Franke.

She is survived by her daughter, Patsy “Pat” Hassell & husband Vernon; of Highlands, son, Granville Woods & wife Sherry; of Kemp, step sons, David Franke, Durwood Franke & wife Rita and Danny Franke & wife Melissa; several grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; dear friends, Lillie Chenevert, Emma Sanders and Irene Montgomery; the incredible staff at Faith Community Hospice; and numerous nieces, nephews, family and friends.

A visitation for family and friends will be held on Tuesday, February 9, 2010 from 6-9 pm at Sterling-White Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 10:00 am at First Baptist Church in Highlands, 210 North Magnolia Street, Highlands, TX 77562; with Pastor Tim Edwards officiating and Deacons will be honored as pallbearers for the services. Burial will follow the service at Sterling-White Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family asks for a donation made for the African Mission Trip sent to the First Baptist Church of Highlands in honor of Opal Franke.

Services have been entrusted to Sterling-White Funeral Home 11011 Crosby-Lynchburg Rd. Highlands, Texas 77562.

To send the family condolences online please visit www.sterlingwhite.com