Birth: March 25, 1923
Death: May 31, 2011
Location: Lot 159, Section 2, New Addition
Opal Jean Paulk, 88, of Wood River died Tuesday, May 31, 2011, at the Grand Island Veterans Home. Opal was born March 25, 1923, in Smith Center, Kan., to Jay C. and Gladys M.(Cameron) Mays.
Opal was united in marriage to Maurice Paulk, June 16, 1946, in Wood River.
Survivors are: husband, Maurice Paulk of Grand Island; daughter and son-in-law, Marcia Ann and Rob Wortman of Curtis; son and daughter-in-law, Robb M. and Marie Paulk of Tilden; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; sister and brother-in-law, Wanda and Richard Langer of Guide Rock; brother, Eldon Mays of Wood River; and sister-in-law, Toni Mays of Hastings.
Opal lived in Kansas until 1935, later moving to Shelton, graduating from Shelton High School with the class of 1940. She received her degree from The Iniversity of Nebraska at Kearney.
After their marriage, the couple made their home in Wood River where she taught in rural schools for 10 years and later in the Grand Island Public Schools for 23 years.
Opal enjoyed reading, gardening and yard work.
Opal was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Wood River, where she was a past member of the ladies organizations of the church, and played the church organ for many years, also the Order of Eastern Star and AARP.
Opal was preceded in death by her parents; son, Brent Jerome Paulk, July 26, 2001; brother, Robert Mays; and sister in law, Marjorie Mays.
Published in The Grand Island Independent on 6/1/2011