MABREY, Opal G.

The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona Friday, January 31, 2003 Opal G. Mabrey, 98, died Sunday, January 26, 2003 in Bentonville, Arkansas. She was born March 5, 1904 in Vernon, Texas to George and Sophia (Chastain) Smith. Opal grew up on a farm near Altus, Oklahoma. She graduated from Southwestern State Teachers College at Weatherford, Oklahoma. She began a career as an elementary teacher which spanned 50 years. In 1939, she was married to Fred A. Mabrey. They made their home in Arizona. She taught at Somerton and Gadsden, retiring in 1974. They moved to Muskogee, Oklahoma in 1982. Mrs. Mabrey moved to Bentonville, Ark. in 1996 to be near her sister. Mrs. Mabrey was a member of First United Methodist Church in Muskogee, OK, Order of Eastern Star, Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority, Retired Teachers Association and a former member of the History Club and Womenís Democratic Club. Mrs. Mabrey was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Mabrey, on August 6, 1989. She is survived by one brother, Carl C. Smith of Altus, Ok; three sisters, Leota Mabrey of Altus, Ok, Katie Lou Tomlinson of Concordia, Ks. and Oleta Bennett of Bentonville, Ark. and brother-in-law, Ray Mabrey of Norman, Ok. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday at Fostersí Ivory Chapel with Reverend Tom McElroy officiating. Interment will follow in Greenhill Cemetery. Funeral service arrangements are under the direction of Foster-Petering Funeral Home in Muskogee, OK.