Opal I Swope

Opal Imogene Swope, of Belen, NM passed away Tuesday, October 3, 2006 at her home in Belen. She was born on November 11, 1922, in Coleman, TX to the late Elijah and Ora Green. The family moved in 1932 to Mountainair to homestead. Opal graduated from Mountainair High School in 1941 and married Emry Swope on May 31 of that same year. Shortly after their wedding, they moved to Santa Monica, CA, Where Emry contributed to the war effort by working for Douglas Aircraft. They were asked to return to Mountainair two years later to help Opal’s parents on their farm. Emry and Opal purchased their own farm and produced pinto beans until 1953. During that time, they had two children, Helen and Clifton. Beginning in 1953, Emry’s work took the family to Santa Fe, Carlsbad, Las Cruces, and El Paso, TX. They returned to Mountainair in 1957 and moved to Belen in 1967. Throughout her life, Opal was a homemaker and actively served in the local church. In addition to her parents, Opal was preceded in death by Emry, her husband of 62 years, and her sister Evalene. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Helen and Newton Floyd, and her son, Clifton, all of Belen. She is also survived by her grandson and his wife, Randall and Cindy Floyd, and their children, Michael and Christopher, of Clayton, and Richard Barksdale of Hobbs: her grandson and his wife, Tim and Lori Floyd of Lakewood, CO; and numerous nephews, nieces and friends. There will be a Funeral Service Sunday, October 8, 2006 at 2:00 PM at the Mountainair Christian Center and burial will follow at the Mountainair Cemetery. Rev. Randall Floyd, Tim Floyd, Rev. Lori Floyd and Rev. Boyd Morerod will officiate. Pallbearers will be Tim Floyd, Dennis Swope, Fred Harris, Kevin Harris, Kent Harris, and Timothy Swope. Arrangements entrusted to