Opal Mae Bryant Miller, 91 of Rockwell, passed away peacefully, Sunday, November 28, 2021 at her home surrounded by family.
Opal was born November 4, 1930 in North Wilkesboro to the late Ada Bea Bryant.
She attended Wilkes County Schools and graduated from Mountain View High School. Opal married the love of her life, Hubert H. Miller, on October 22, 1952. She worked as a seamstress for several sewing plants, but her true passion was cooking. For many years she worked at Faith Soda Shop, alongside her good friends Alene McCombs and Sharon Deal. She was an excellent cook, well known in the community for her pound cakes and sweet tea.
Much of her life centered around raising her children and her church life. Opal attended Central Baptist Church in Kannapolis. A devout Christian, she read and studied her Bible daily, until shortly before her death. She enjoyed her family, including many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great granddaughter. She loved preparing large meals and anyone was always welcome at her kitchen table. One never left her home hungry or without a piece of cake to take home and a cup of her sweet tea.
Opal will be remembered by her family, friends, and neighbors as one of the most compassionate ladies. She often prayed for others. Opal loved reading and watching the birds outside her windows. She was fascinated by the Amish people and their simpler way of life. She really enjoyed traveling to Amish country with her friends. Opal was also an excellent gardener, always sharing the things she canned, pickled, and preserved with family, friends and neighbors. Opal also enjoyed working at the election polls every year.
In addition to her parents, Earlis and Beatrice Higgins, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Hubert, and their oldest daughter Geneva Anne Miller. Opal is survived by her son, Michael H. Miller (Angie), and daughters Becky M. Hardison and Anita M. Gobble, all of Rockwell; grandchildren, Allison Miller (Bryan), Rachel Miller, Terry Miller, Chase Hardison (Sara), Amanda Hardison, David Whitley (Amy), Brandon Alley and Katie Whitley; great grandchildren, Dallas Long, Matthew Long (Anna), Andrew Coker, Caleb Trueblood, Brittany Rigo (Daniel), Maggie, Eli, and Mason Whitley, Noah Hardison, and Lily and Olivia Hardison; great-great granddaughter, Ada "Toots" Long; and uncle, David Bryant; an aunt Ruth Woods; and many nieces and nephews.
During her declining health, Sharon Osborne was her care taker at home. From day one they had a very special bond. Opal thought very highly of her.
A funeral service to honor Opal's life will be held Thursday, December 2, 2021 at 11:00 am at Whitley's Funeral Chapel, Kannapolis. Rev. Mark Murphy will officiate. Graveside services will follow at 2:15pm at Mountlawn Memorial Park, North Wilkesboro. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, Wednesday, December 1st at Whitley's Funeral Home, Kannapolis.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Novant Health, Kiser Hospice House, 1229 Statesville Blvd. Salisbury, NC 28144.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com