Opal Parsons

Opal Louise Parsons, age 93, of St. Johns, MI, passed away Monday, December 11, 2017, at Grace Haven Assisted Living in St. Johns, MI.

Funeral Services will be held at First Baptist Church of St. Johns, 512 South Whittemore St., St. Johns, MI. on Thursday, December 14, 2017 at 11:00 A.M, with Pastor Tim Knaus officiating.  Burial will take place at Providence Cemetery, Paris, Texas. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 13, 2017 from 4-8 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes - Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI.

Born in Clarksville, Tennessee on January 26, 1924, Opal was the daughter of Joe and Lena (Wallace) Vires.  Two months premature at birth, Opal was a fighter and a firebrand from the very start.  At the age of thirteen, Opal moved to Detroit with her parents and two sisters, Jean and Jeanette. The stories that she told of her childhood were as colorful as she was.  On September 12, 1942, she married Homer “Shorty” Parsons, a Virginia native who was in Naval training at the time she met him.  It was his laugh that first attracted her to him.  Opal and Shorty covered a lot of ground in their years together, from Virginia to Michigan to Texas and back, they made lasting friendships wherever they went.  They had been married for 53 years when Shorty passed away in August 1996.  Opal and Shorty had three children, Jim, Bill and Penny, who Opal described as the greatest joy in her life.  Opal was committed member of the First Baptist Church in St. Johns, where she was universally adored by her fellow congregants, especially the young members who enjoyed her spark and youthful spirit.

She is survived by her daughter Penny (Randy) Tahvonen; 2 sons: James (Doris) Parsons; William (Nancy) Parsons; 8 grandchildren, and 19 great grandchildren.  She will be greatly missed by all of them.

Memorials may be made to your local Humane Society or the Beacon of Hope Family Care Center at First Baptist Church. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes - Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI.