Opal P. (Smith) Cooke

Opal Pauline Cooke, age 105, passed away on Saturday, July 15, 2017.  She is preceded in death by her husband, James F. Cooke.  She is survived by her four children, Juanice Forrester (Don-deceased), Wanda Poe (Bob), Jim Cooke (Carla) and Roger Cooke. Opal had 12 grandchildren, Bryce Forrester (Judy), Steve Forrester, Jody Forrester, Teri Lynn Price (Bobby) , Lori Diane Hinojosa (Hugo), Garry Forrester (Jean Ann), Lonny D. Poe (Deanne), Michelle Cooke, Brent McClure, Jeremy Cooke, Samantha, and Allison Cooke. She had 22 great- grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

Opal was born August 21, 1911, in a small East Texas town in Newton County.  Her parents were James Walker and Olivia Rogers Smith.  She had one sister, Odell Smith Barnes.  Opal married her high school sweetheart, James Fulton Cooke, September 5, 1931, in Merryville, LA.

In 1937, they moved to New Mexico, with their first child, Juanice.  They located in the Jemez Mountains near Redondo and Jemez Springs.  Mr. Cooke was a logger and truck driver with New Mexico Timber Company for 35 years.  Fulton and Opal and their children also lived in Texas and Arizona before returning to Albuquerque.  He died in April, 1978.  Opal has resided in Albuquerque since her husband's death.

Opal was a member of Monterey Baptist Church in Albuquerque for many years.  Her church family, Sunday school teachers and members, Pastor - Rev. Claude Cone and staff, faithful Deacons and Wives, and Keenagers...ALL were so very special to her and ministered faithfully in her life.  She dearly loved everyone!  Her Church meant so much to her...loving and caring for her.  She loved her Lord, her family, and her church.  She served her Lord and trusted Him completely.  She loved children and young people with all her heart.  Bless your heart, Ms. Opal.  We love you!!

Funeral Service will be Thursday, July 20, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at Monterey Baptist Church, 12501 Lomas Blvd NE Albuquerque, NM 87112. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park, 924 Menaul Blvd NE in Albuquerque. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to American Heart Assoc. or to your favorite charity.

Please visit our online guestbook for Opal at www.FrenchFunerals.com.

FRENCH – Rio Rancho

(Unser Blvd. north of Northern)

1275 Unser Blvd, NE

Rio Rancho, NM 87144

(505) 338-2000