Opal Anna Stackhouse, age 88, Richmond, passed away peacefully with family by her side on Monday afternoon, August 23, 2021. Opal was born to Earl Lee and Sarah Martha Rust on December 6, 1932, in Richmond Indiana. She grew up in Richmond and graduated from Richmond Senior High School, where she was active in Block R and was on Devil’s Den Board. A hard worker all her life, Opal maintained a job at JC Penney throughout high school, acquiring fabrics to sew her own clothing. After high school, she attended Wittenberg College in Springfield Ohio, where she was a member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority. Opal met W.E. “Bill” Stackhouse, Jr. while in high school, and they remained sweethearts and married in December 1952. Opal and Bill were blessed with four children: Bill, Kathy, Sarah, and Samuel.
There were so many things Opal took pleasure in homemaking and home decorating, sewing, gardening, doing crosswords, and vigorous exercise. She loved music and took up piano lessons after her children were grown, and her radio was always tuned to her favorite classical music station. Opal sang in the choir at First Presbyterian Church for many years. She had a passion for flowers of all kinds, and her home was always adorned by them, inside and out. Opal was an avid reader and an amateur homeopath. She was an animal lover, doting on her kitty cats after her children left home. She delighted in attending Richmond Symphony Orchestra concerts with her husband Bill. Opal had a wonderful sense of humor and a great wit and didn’t take herself too seriously.
Most of all, Opal loved her Lord and spending time in God’s Word at home, in various Bible studies, and at her beloved church. She treasured her 40 plus years with Bible Study Fellowship (BSF), both as a student and as a group leader. Many deep and long-lasting friendships were built during her years in BSF. She felt blessed with a wonderful church family at Christ Presbyterian Church, where she volunteered in various capacities. Because she loved to serve, she also spent many years volunteering alongside her husband at the Richmond Community Food Pantry, and more recently, preparing food alongside other Christ Presby ladies with Rock Solid Ministry.
Opal is survived and missed by her husband of 68 years, Bill; her children: W.E. “Bill” Stackhouse III, Kathy (Franklin) Hiden, Sarah Hyatt, and Samuel (Jacqueline) Stackhouse; her sisters Martha and Eileen; as well as many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Opal is predeceased by her elder sister, Allelia, and brother-in-law, Frank Hunyadi.
A celebration of Opal’s life will be held at Christ Presbyterian Church, 350 Henley Rd S, Richmond Indiana 47374, on Friday, September 3, 2021, at 10:00 a.m., with early visitation at 9:30 a.m. A brief burial service will be held afterward at Greens Fork Cemetery on Mineral Springs Road. The family respectfully asks that you wear a mask, and there will also be masks available at the church.
In lieu of flowers, Opal would love for you to make a donation to either the Richmond Community Food Pantry, Rock Solid Ministry, World Hope International, or for the Haiti orphanage. Donations may be made to Christ Presbyterian Church, earmarked “Haiti orphanage” or “World Hope International” (for Sierra Leone ministry).
Opal was a positive, upbeat, and joyful human being. She loved bright, cheery colors, so feel free to dress happy. Stegall-Berheide-Orr Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Online condolences can be sent to the family via the guest book at stegallberheideorr.com