Funeral services for Opal Lee Ragland, 90, of Manchester were held Tuesday at Coffee County Funeral Chapel with Brother Clayton Jones officiating. Interment followed at Wesley’s Chapel Cemetery.
Mrs. Ragland went home to be with the Lord, Saturday, March 23 in Murfreesboro.
She was born Opal Lee Gross on Jan. 24, 1923, the daughter of the late Albert Gross and Gussie Winton Gross. She grew up at the foot of the mountain in Huberts Cove. She received her education at Marvin Chapel Schoolhouse and received Christ as her savior at Marvin Chapel Church. At the young age of 18, while at the Wesley’s Chapel picnic, she met the love of her life, Murphy Ragland. They were wed Jan. 19, 1941 and resided in Birmingham, Ala., until Murphy was called to service in World War II. Following this, the couple moved back to Huberts Cove, a place which they loved, where they had and raised two daughters and many fond memories.
She was a devoted mother, who enjoyed birthdays and holidays with her family, all the while cooking for them and making them feel special. She lived through many tough times but always had a smile on her face and in her heart as she saw herself as blessed by God. She was an active member of the Wesley’s Chapel Church, where alongside her husband, she worked diligently to serve the Lord. She also enjoyed gardening and her beautiful flowers.
Living to see her family grow from two daughters to five grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and a great-great grandchild and doing so next to her husband of 68 years, was the best life one could ask for.
In addition to her parents and her younger brother, Opal is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Murphy as of Aug. 11, 2009. Online condolences may be made at www.coffeecountyfuneralchapel.com
Coffee County Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Southern Standard
(McMinnville, Tenn.) March 27, 2013