Opal Marie (Kennedy) Thomas, age 93, passed away in Beaumont, Texas on June 26, 2015. Opal was born in Magee Bend, Trinity County, Texas on Nov. 19, 1921. She was the youngest of 12 children of George Washington and Rosa Anna (Bennett) Kennedy.

She was preceded in death by her parents, six brothers; Author, Grover, Cleaver, Vonie, Edward, and Omie, five sisters; Lillie, Penola (Perkins), Jannett “Hart” (Norsworthy), Mary, and Emma (Norsworthy) and her devoted husband of 56 years Dr. Aubrey O. Thomas of Kermit, Texas.

Survivors include three daughters, one son, 10 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

Opal was raised in Trinity County, TX. After marrying Aubrey Thomas from Lufkin in Dec. 1939 they made their first home in Rusk, TX where Aubrey was a watch repairman. They had their first two children while living in Rusk. They moved to Memphis, TN for three years while Aubrey completed his doctor of optometry degree at Southern College of Optometry. After his graduation in 1946, they moved to Kermit, TX where Aubrey practiced optometry for 50 years. Their other two children were born in Kermit. Opal was very active with Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and the First United Methodist Church where she worked in the nursery for many years. Opal had farming in her blood and loved working daily in her yard and gardens.

Following Aubrey’s death in 1995, Opal returned to her roots and lived in Groveton for several years. She then moved to Calder Woods Assisted Living Home in Beaumont until her passing.

Funeral services will be handled by the Groveton Funeral Home with internment next to Aubrey at the Bennett Cemetery near Apple Springs. Services were arranged by Groveton Funeral Home, Directors.

[Contributor Deb (#46832182) has kindly shared Opal's obituary. Parts of Opal's Bio were taken from this obituary.]