Opal Delois Harlan

Memorial Video
On July 14 at the Flo and Phil Jones hospice Opal Harlan’s physical life ended which had begun 94 years ago and she entered her eternal home in Heaven.

Opal Delois Harlan was born to W.O. and Annabelle (Varble) Burgess on March 10, 1924 in the small town of Weona, AR, where she grew up and attended local elementary schools. She graduated from Marked Tree High School.

In 1942 she married Sherman Edward Harmon and that union, which lasted a few months shy of fifty years, was blessed with three children.

In the early 1950’s, in Dowagiac, Michigan, Opal entered an entire lifetime of service to God as she assumed the role of pastor /missionary wife and helpmate when Sherman surrendered to the ministry. She served as Sunday school teacher, ladies leader, on both state and local levels in Michigan, California, and Arkansas whatever position God opened for her.

Opal also held various jobs in the business world, serving as executive secretary, bookkeeper, office manager; and she did this while being the perfect role model for fellow church members, but most importantly for her family. Opal was always ready to help, whether it be with a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, even a casserole dish.

In 1991, when Sherman died, Opal’s life took a turn from serving as wife of a pastor, and she found other avenues of service as a member of Central Baptist Church.

In 1998 Opal married Delbert Harlan, a fine man who was a deacon at First Baptist Church in Trumann where they lived. They had a beautiful, happy life together and enjoyed traveling quite a bit until their health began to fail and they moved to St. Bernard’s Village. Delbert died in 2013 and she continued to live there until her death.

In addition to her parents, Opal is preceded in death by her son Ronald and his wife Joyce Harmon of Greenbrier, AR; brother, W.O. Burgess Jr.,  and son in law, Sheldon Gambill.

Opal is survived by two children: CaSandra Gambill of Jonesboro, Michael (Mary) Harmon of Allen, TX; stepchildren: Deborah (Ron) Evans of Bella Vista, AR, Charles (Joyce) Harlan of Bono, and Suzanne (Joe) Brickell of Carmel, IN; and several grandchildren, great grandchildren, and many friends.

Services will be held at Emerson Funeral Home, with her son, Dr. Mike Harmon officiating and Rev. Larry Bailey assisting, on Wednesday, July 18 at 2:00 p.m. with visitation from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.A private committal service will follow the service with active pallbearers being her grandchildren.

The family wants to give a special thanks and appreciation to the entire staff at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice house for the wonderful care they gave our precious Mom in the last several days of her life. They always cared for her with dignity and respect. Also a special thanks to Laura Garner, her case manager at Health South Rehabilitation Hospital for all the special love and care she showed mom and her entire family. We will never forget her.