Opal Allen

Opal T. Allen, born June 3, 1932, of Augusta, MI passed away on Tuesday, August 13, 2024. Opal was born in Bloomington, IL to Roy and Stella (Harris) House. Her mother later married George Thompson who was a major influence in raising Opal and her siblings. Opal was preceded in death by her parents and stepfather George Thompson, brother George and sister Gloria. Opal was also preceded in death by her husbands Thomas Marshall and Norvel Harris, Sr. She is survived by her husband Harry Allen, children Norvel (Della) Harris Jr., Tonya Harris, David G. Harris, Leroy Harris, special daughter Chandra Allen-Redding, and sister Arnora Brown along with eight grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren.

At an early age, soon after her stepfather George Thompson's death, Opal set out on her own after being told she would not be able to attend high school. Her travels took her to the cotton fields of eastern Missouri where she worked and lived for a couple of years and then eventually to Saint Louis, Missouri. In Saint Louis she gained employment as a "mother's helper" and waitress at various restaurants. She was able to reunite with her mother and family upon moving to Chicago in her late teens where she met and married Norvel Harris Sr.

During her first marriage to Norvel Harris Sr, his military travels took them to Germany as well as various Army bases across the United States. At around age 20 it was determined that she had degenerative spine disease and she had a very risky spinal fusion surgery at Fitzsimons military hospital in Aurora, CO. Opal and her husband moved to Battle Creek from Chicago in 1962 where she worked at the former Lakeview General hospital, Battle Creek Equipment, MI State Home and eventually at the Kellogg Company. Opal's marriage to Norvel ended in divorce. She had a brief marriage to Tom Marshall in Oct. 1974, that ended in his death a month later.

She met and married Harry Allen in Dec. 1975. They both worked at the Kellogg Company. She left the Kellogg Company due to disability in 1989. During her years, after leaving Kellogg's, she picked up on her love of sewing and needle work. She became involved in quilting and joined the Battle Creek Cal-Co Quilt Guild and has produced many beautiful quilts, some of which she entered in the guild's annual quilt show where she received several ribbons. She also produced several needle point works until her failing eyesight made that and quilting too difficult.

Opal and her husband have enjoyed their home in Augusta, travels across the United States to many of the national parks via Amtrak and auto trips. In 2000 she became united with her mother's family in the Owensboro, KY area, who she had not known previously. She even met her late Aunt Delfie House who had been married to her dad's brother. She also enjoyed her many visits with her cousins Edna & Judy Boswell, Betty and Carlton Harris and their families. Opal's lovely quilts, needle work and her appreciation of the beauty of nature will forever be a cherished memory for her husband Harry. Her husband, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren are her loving legacy in who's minds her memory will live on and who she cherished greatly.

Opal's devotion to following God's word led her to join the Battle Creek Tabernacle of the Seventh Day Adventist in Battle Creek, MI where she has remained a member.

Cremation has taken place and services are being scheduled for a later date.

Donations may be made to the Battle Creek Tabernacle of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in her name or to a charitable organization of your choosing.

While at www.amsfuneralhomes.com please take time to sign Opal's guestbook and/or share a memory with her family.

The Allen family is being cared for by the Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Homes and Cremation Society, 129 South Grand Street, Schoolcraft, MI 49087. 269-679-5622.