Opal Bammel Thomas was a remarkable woman in every way. Opal had a passion for life and her vibrancy, kindness, and thoughtfulness was felt by all who knew her.

Opal was born in Gilmer, TX. She moved to Longview (TX) and spent much of her early adulthood in the East Texas area.

After moving to Houston, Opal met and married Melvin Bammel and they soon moved to Cypress, TX where she spent most of her life. Opal was active in the community and in her church, Christ United Church, UCC. She spent her early years supporting her children through their school years, serving as Room Mother, seamstress, exquisite cook, party-giver, and homemaker. The Bammel house was usually filled with the neighborhood children as all knew that Mrs. Bammel would welcome them with a hug and a comforting plate of cookies.

Opal lived her life fully, surrounding herself with friends and family. She had a delightful sense of humor and loved surprising others. You never knew what she was up to next, but it was usually creative, funny, unexpected, well-done, and deeply appreciated.

Opal loved her family: her parents and brother and sisters and their families, and her children, her niece and nephews, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. All the family knew they were deeply loved.

Opal had a passion for learning. She loved to read and could usually be found working on some project for her kids, the church, or the community. Her artistic abilities can be found today in the many paintings she created, each with intricate detail and beauty. Everything Opal did was done extremely well.

Opal loved to be outdoors: gardening, fishing, or taking long walks in the midst of nature. And she loved to play games and was a fierce competitor whether playing dominoes or cards with her friends or gathering up her children and their friends for a lively game of whatever. Opal loved the thrill of the game.

After spending many years widowed, Opal fell in love with Kenneth Thomas, a fine and loving man who courted her with vegetables from his garden. The two shared many enjoyable past times: dancing, fishing, gardening, playing dominoes or cards with friends, and spending time together, madly in love with one another.

Opal and Kenneth moved to Tomball and later to Palestine, TX where they lived out their final years together. The family is comforted knowing that Opal has joined the love of her life in eternity.

Opal has left her friends and family with a lasting legacy. She was a woman of integrity, intelligence, and humor. She believed in doing her best at all she attempted. She taught her children to work hard and work smart, to be kind to others, and to always give others the benefit of the doubt. She will be deeply missed, but her memory will live on in all of our hearts.

Opal is survived by her children: Jean Bammel, Ani Bammel, Connie Bammel Davis, and Beverly Bammel, her grandchildren and their families, and nieces Ernestine Mabe and Susan Rezek. She was preceded in death by parents, Jean Dennis Williams and Nina Jewel Norton Williams and her husband, Kenneth Hargrave Thomas.

Friends are invited to visit with the family from 4-6 p.m. Sunday, February 4th at Klein Funeral Home, 1400 W. Main St, Tomball, TX 77375.

A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 5, 2018 at Plymouth United Church, UCC, at 5927 Louetta Rd, Spring, TX 77379, followed by a reception lunch.

A memorial service will also be held in Palestine, TX at 11 AM on February 10, 2018, at the Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church, County Rd 435, Pert TX, followed by a reception lunch.

In lieu of flowers, donations could be made to Christ United Church of Christ, 14207 Telge Rd, Cypress, TX 77429.