Opal Pearl Rice King, of Charleston, Arkansas, died at home on Friday, August 11, 2023. She was born on June 12, 1932, north of Subiaco, Arkansas, to the late Clyde Edward Rice and Ethel Elizabeth Harrison Rice. She was 91 years old. She was preceded in death by her husband of seventy years, Allen W. King; three sisters, Velta Ruth Rice, Freda Lee Rice and Cleta Rice Muller; and one brother, David Rice.

Opal grew up during the Great Depression when life was very difficult. Her family moved around following what ever work her father could find. When she was a teenager he was the mechanic for Arnold Coal Company. The company provided a house for the family to live in northeast of Charleston. Allen King lived on the farm of his family across the fields to the north. Opal and her brothers worked for Allen's father doing all types of farm work. Allen would show up at he Rice house and Opal's mother would fry him some eggs. Allen was smitten by Opal when he saw her in a blue dress which she wore as an attendant at graduation in 1949 thinking she was the prettiest girl he had ever seen. He decided he was going to marry her which he did on February 3, 1950. He was 21 and she was 17 and still a senior in high school. Opal was a 1950 graduate of Charleston High School.

Opal was always a hard worker. After she married, she rode the highway bus to Fort Smith for her job at McCrory Department Store on Garrison Ave., where she made $22.00 per week. A young jewelry entrepreneur named Bud Cowan operated a jewelry store and watch repair shop on Garrison Ave. He needed someone to keep accounts and work the sales floor. He said he went into McCrory Store and picked out the prettiest girl to ask to come work for him. Opal was that girl. That job began Opal's career in jewelry affiliated with Mr. Cowan from 1953 through 1986 with a few periods of staying home when her children were young. Opal gave birth to Lesa on November 26, 1957 and Mark on April 4,1959. Opal and Allen loved square dancing in the early years and later enjoyed taking ball room dancing and competing in dance competitions. Opal was active in the church and community. She served as Sunday School Superintendent, Church Treasurer, and president of the United Methodist Women for the First United Methodist Church in Charleston. She served as the president of the Charleston band parents in the early seventies and was instrumental in raising money for new uniforms. Opal opened her own jewelry store called Opal's Jewelry in Charleston in 1987. She came up with the idea for the Christmas Open Town and served as president of the Charleston Chamber of Commerce. After closing her store in 1999, she provided her building to the Charleston Ministerial Alliance Thrift Store which she ran with her sister-in-law Betty King. Opal was a gifted sales person making the customer feel good about themselves. She was also a good listener often having a listening ear to the troubles of her customers lives.

Opal loved her husband, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren with all her heart. For the last several years she provided pizza every Sunday evening for any family who were able to attend. She was probably one of few 91 year old grandmothers who had the majority of her garage filled with children's toys for her great- grandchildren. Opal's favorite pastime was to work in her flower beds. She was not happy when Allen purchased the land where they built their house in 1973 which was a shale pit. There were no trees of any kind. Over the years she made the hill blossom. Opal was a giver. She gave of herself and her means to all her family and donated to many causes. Opal assured her family that her faith was in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of her sins and that she had a home reserved in heaven. Opal endured several injuries throughout the last twenty-five years of her life. Several broken bones and a few surgeries kept her home bound much of the time. She was not a complainer and was a wonderful example of perseverance. She will be greatly missed by many.

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 15th at Brotherton Funeral Home Chapel in Charleston. Burial will follow at Garden of Memories Cemetery in Charleston, under the direction of Brotherton Brothers Funeral Home and Flower Shop in Charleston. Officiating the service will be Dr. Glen Fenter.

She is survived by her daughter, Lesa King Tedford and husband John of Lavaca; her son, Mark King and wife Linda of Charleston; her sister, Phyllis Bowe of Portland, Oregon; three brothers, Dale Rice (Joanie) and Don Rice of Charleston; Ron Rice (Lynn) of Sheridan; a sister-in-law, Marjo Hill (Duane) of Charleston; and sister-in-law, Bettye King of Charleston. She is survived by Lesa's children, Lane Crosno (Michael) and children Beau Price and Layla; Kirk Barrows (Rylea) and children Opie and Porter; Lesa's step children, Johnathan (Brooke)Tedford and children Sutton, Hymbree, and Wesson; Jessica (Richard) Grenier and her children Tyler Evans, Jacia, Cydnie, Logan, and Harmony Grenier; Jeremy Tedford (RyLee) and children Liam, Legend, and Luka. Mark's children, Daniel (Angela) and children Jace, Lynlee, Ryan, and Vayda Mae; Amy King, Hannah (Jordan) Wilson and children Seth, Isaiah, Jana, Raylan, Zachary, and Kyle (on the way); Joshua (Paige) and children Allen, Rhett, and Fletcher; Nathan (Whitley) and children Havi and one on the way; Joseph (Kimberly) and son Jesse; David (Kinsey) King.

Pallbearers are Kirk Barrows, Daniel King, Joshua King, Nathan King, Joseph King, David King, Michael Crosno, Travis Rice, and Jeremy Tedford.

Honorary pallbearers are Dale Rice, Don Rice, Ron Rice, Kenneth McFerran, and Duane Hill.

The family will visit with friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday, August 14th at the funeral home.

To place an online tribute, please visit www.brothertonbrothersfuneralhomes.com.