Opal C. Lewis

Opal Lewis, aged 100, passed away peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of resilience and love that spanned a century. Born in 1924 in the coal mining town of Cooperative, McCreary County, Kentucky, she grew up with her brother, Omar, and sister, Ola Mae as well as many cousins and extended family members.

Her early years were marked by the hardships of the Great Depression, but happy times were still there even among the sad. She remembered people struggling for work and food, but how her family's large vegetable garden fed many in their community. Another story involved her pet goat following her to school one morning, much to the delight of her classmates, showing that even in the face of uncertainty and poverty there was still time for laughter.

A woman of remarkable determination, Opal attended welding school in West Virginia before World War II. During the war, she moved to Dayton, Ohio, where she worked on the flight line at Wright Field for the Army Air Corps recording the arrivals and departures of planes from all over the world. After the war, she married Charles Lewis and they raised three children: Linda, Charlotte, and Robert. They eventually resettled in New Lebanon, OH.

Opal was known for her tenacity, working the night shift at Inland long after many women had left the workforce. She retired after many years of dedicated service in the 1980s. In retirement, and through her lifetime, her love for travel took her to almost every US state and numerous countries, reflecting her adventurous spirit. She often traveled with her friend, Edith, and her nephew, Delano, and his wife, Jo.

Her life was a testament to the strength and determination of her generation. She was caring but strict, always setting an example for those around her. But her rebellious streak was always present. She might enforce the rules of the dinner table at home, but the next night she might drive well over the speed limit to make it home in time for "Dukes of Hazzard." Her family, spread across Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, Texas, Oklahoma, California, and many other locations, loved and cared for her deeply.

A joyous reunion in heaven is now taking place with her brother, sister, and beloved husband. We celebrate her remarkable life and the reunion that awaits.

Visitation will be 11am-12pm with funeral service to begin at noon on Saturday, July 13th at Rogers Funeral Home in New Lebanon, Ohio. A lunch will follow. A private burial with the family will take place on Monday, July 15th at Preble Memorial Gardens.

In this time of sorrow, we remember her life with fondness and gratitude, cherishing the memories she created and the legacy she leaves behind. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Make A Wish Foundation (wish.org) in memory of Opal.