Opal Rhyne

On Sunday, August 2, 2015, Opal M. Rhyne began her eternal life with her heavenly Father. A memorial service is scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 11, at First Baptist Church with Rev. Rick Sullivan officiating. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Terpening and Son Mortuary.

Opal was born May 15, 1928 in Hope, New Mexico; the daughter of James and Eva (Jones) Stephens.
She was the 3rd born of 6 children.

Opal was owner and operator of the Fashion Cleaners for 53 years. She always said she had taken most of the town to the cleaners.

Through Opal's many years of life she was extremely active in the community. She was a member of First Baptist Church. She was the oldest living active member of the Altrusa Club in Artesia and helped launch the Altrusa Smorgasbord in 1963 and worked with that project for 50 years before her health kept her from participating last year. Opal was famous for her homemade pies and those were auctioned off at the end of every Smorgasbord to add money to the coffers designated for Altrusa service projects. Whenever anyone needed a pie for a special occasion, they would call on Opal. She was also very active with the Business and Professional Women, Artesia Businessmens' Association, and was a founding member of The People's Commission for Criminal Justice, which made significant contributions in seeking justice for victims of violent crime. She also lobbied in Santa Fe for interests dear to the hearts of Artesians. Opal was known as Mrs. Santa Claus for many years. She operated the Community Santa Claus project where she spent many evening hours and weekends with other volunteers cleaning and repairing toys to give to the more unfortunate children of the community. Opal received many awards during her life, several for her paintings and community service. She was also instrumental in assisting the city of Artesia to establish the College of Artesia in 1966. She served as a friend and mentor for many of those college students until the College closed its doors in 1973. The final award, and one of her proudest achievements, was being selected as a Living Treasure in 2013 by the Artesia Historical Museum and Art Center Foundation.

She is survived by her daughters, Cynthia Sheffield and companion Dr. Tim Renk of Albuquerque, and Sandy Pierson and husband Greg of Hagerman. She is also survived by sisters, Alice George of Clarksville, Arkansas; and Laverne Miller of Las Vegas, Nevada; and one brother, Ray Stephens of Hagerman; six grandchildren Scott Speir and wife Yoly, Sean Speir and fiance Trisha Rhynes, Jared Mueller and wife Janelle, Jake Mueller, Justin Mueller, and Lindsey Sheffield and girlfriend Alexandria Berridge; two great grandchildren Sandra and James Mueller; and many nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, James Stephens; and sister, Ann Miller, and granddaughter Suzanne Pierson.

The family has suggested memorial contributions be made to the Altrusa Club of Artesia, NM or a charity of your choice in lieu of flowers.

Service

Memorial Contributions