Opal Lee Hunt, 97, of Carthage, TX, passed away to her new home on Tuesday afternoon, March 5, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Opal Lee Manshack was born on August 15, 1926, in the Sardis Community near Tenaha, TX to the late Duley McKinley and Gladys Opal Spurlock Manshack. She was the first of eight children born to this union. She eloped and married Sam Junior Hunt on May 7, 1945, and he preceded her in death on April 14, 1983. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Thomas Manshack; sisters, Faye McCormick and Melvie Joyce Ballard; her son, Charles Edward Hunt, and life-long special friend, Ms. Jean Goodman.

She is survived by her loving daughter, Barbara Ann Hunt of Carthage; 5 extra spoiled grandchildren, Dana Bankhead (Corey) of Carthage, Traci Murff of Tyler, Brooke Blocker (Skye Dorsey) of Hallsville, Norman Hunt of Carthage, and Jeffrey Hunt of Silsbee; 11 very spoiled great-grandchildren, Erika Shull (Randall) of Carthage, Tori Burford (Garrett) of Longstreet, Chance Harris White of Carthage, Bailey Murff (fiancé David Lane) of Tyler, Braxton Salas of Carthage, Kinley and Kammie Knippers of Tyler, Allie and Averie Blocker of Hallsville, Shania Hunt of Silsbee, and Dylan Hunt (Ashley) of Carthage; 8 spoiled great-great-grandchildren, Beckett and Ava Shull, Blayke, Blythe, Bowen, and Blayne Opal Burford, Daxton Hunt, and Parker Hunt; and loving sisters, Viola Martinez, Dorothy Neff, Maxine Strickland, and Margaret Keener (David). Numerous nieces, nephews and a host of special friends also survive. Ms. Opal leaves behind 5 generations of love and legacy, a true matriarch to her family and friends whom all adored her.

She was schooled in Tenaha. Growing up in the great depression and being the oldest child, she left school to work in the field to help her mother with her siblings. At one time, she was one of the most dedicated and oldest workers in Panola County and received an award from the Panola County Chamber acknowledging her work ethic. Ms. Opal saved up her own money and purchased her first car from a preacher. It was a Chevy with a standard transmission and she taught herself how to drive it in the driveway of her home without her husband Sam knowing. She drove until she was 95 years old. She got her first official job in the public at Blue Buckle in Marshall, sewing buttons and pockets on blue jeans. That was the start of her much-loved sewing career. She also worked at Brownie's Cafe', Terry Farris, was manager of the old Dollar Store, worked at Perry Brothers, Ben Franklin, Wal-Mart, Texas Health and Human Resources, and was a devoted caregiver until she was 85 years old. She performed all of these duties while giving an over abundance of love, dedication, and attention to her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. She was a woman full of integrity, unmeasured strength, and was a Cancer survivor. A very special lady indeed is leaving us all with cherished memories, life lessons, love, and laughter for generations to come.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home Chapel with Great-Grandson, Bro. Chance White officiating. Burial will be in Restland Cemetery in Tenaha.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.