Stracener, Opal Gray
   	
Opal Gray Stracener went to be with her Heavenly Father on Wednesday, 
November 8, 2006. Funeral services will be 3 p.m. Saturday, November 
11, 2006, at Elmira Chapel Cumberland Presbyterian Church, with James 
M. Cantey, Minister, officiating. Burial will follow in Elmira Chapel 
Cemetery. She was born October 26, 1913, in Harrison County, Texas, to 
Minnie May Miller and James Charlton Gray. After graduation from 
Longview High School and Draughons Business School, Opal married Harry 
Livingston Stracener on May 25, 1935. Opal was a member of Elmira Chapel 
Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Springhill, Texas, where she actively 
taught Sunday school and participated in ministering to the residents of 
Rusk State Hospital as well as serving on the Board of Missions of East 
Texas Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. She was a 
founding member of Gregg County Iris Garden Club, the Eastern Star, and 
the Gregg County Home Demonstration Club, where she was selected 
Outstanding Homemaker of Gregg County on two different occasions and was 
instrumental in sending care packages to soldiers during World War II. 
Opal's special interests included quilting and teaching others the art 
of quilting. She was a multi-award winner at the Gregg County Fair, 
demonstrating her quilting and culinary talents. Opal was a generous 
supporter of the Masonic Home, Shriner's Burn and Children's Hospital, 
Presbyterian Children's Home, Texas Lion's Club Camp for Disabled 
Children, and Elmira Chapel. She will certainly be remembered as a pillar 
in her community for her devotion to her church, her family, her friends, 
and those in need. Opal and Harry began married life in Springhill before 
moving to Talco and Gladewater, where Harry was employed by Humble and 
Exxon Oil Companies and later moved back to Springhill, where they retired 
to enjoy many years of travel throughout the world and time spent with 
family and friends. Opal lived her last two years in a retirement center 
in League City, Texas, where she was able to maintain her independence. 
Opal was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harry Stracener 
Sr.; brothers, Carlos Gray, J.C. Gray, Willie Gray, Fred Gray, and George 
Gray; and sisters, Evie Froehner, Frances Redmond, and Bobbie Kempf. She 
is survived by sons, Harry Stracener Jr. and wife, Martha, and Leland 
Stracener and wife, Judy; daughter, Nancy Crutchfield and husband, Sonny; 
four grandsons; eight great-grandsons; and numerous nieces, nephews, and 
friends. Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Jeff Stracener, Todd Stracener, 
Troy Stracener, and Tim Crutchfield; and nephews, Barry Redmond and Gary 
Kempf. The family will receive friends from 6-7:30 p.m. Friday evening, 
November 10, 2006, at Welch Funeral Home, 4619 Judson Road. An online 
registry may be signed at www.news-journal.com, by clicking on the 
obituaries link.

Published in the Longview News-Journal on 11/10/2006.

-----------------

Stracener, Opal Gray  
 	
Services for Opal Gray Stracener will be 3 p.m. today, November 11, 2006, 
at Elmira Chapel Cumberland Presbyterian Church, with Minister James M. 
Cantey officiating. Burial will follow in Elmira Chapel Cemetery. 
Arrangements are by Welch Funeral Home. Mrs. Stracener died November 8, 
2006. Born October 26, 1913, in Harrison County, she was an active member 
of Elmira Chapel Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and founding member of 
Gregg County Iris Garden Club. Survivors include her sons, Harry Stracener 
Jr. and Leland Stracener; and daughter, Nancy Crutchfield. An online 
registry may be signed at www.news-journal.com, by clicking on the 
obituaries link.

Published in the Longview News-Journal on 11/11/2006.