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BORN
1940
DIED
2025
FUNERAL HOME
Opal Samuel Obituary
Opal was a woman who loved God and her family. Her strong faith saw her through multiple illnesses and deaths—not only her own struggles, but also those of her family members. She was born on November 25, 1940, to Obie Edward and Willie Mae (née Nelson) Farr in Bon Wier, Texas. She attended school in the Biloxi Community alongside her three older brothers, older sister, and three younger brothers; she was the baby girl of the family. Opal joined Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church under the leadership of the Reverends Kenebrew and C.C. Farr at an early age, and she remained faithful to her Christian beliefs throughout her life. She got the nickname “Sally” from her sister, Lois, who said she was a favorite of, and shared mannerisms with, “old lady Ms. Sally,” a beloved woman from the community.
She was united in marriage to Roosevelt “Sang” Samuel, also of Bon Wier, on August 27, 1960. They later relocated to Houston, Texas, where she began her career in nursing. She often shared how, although they struggled financially during their first year of marriage—both working two jobs—they had their first child. When she expressed interest in working in a hospital, Sang encouraged her to enroll in a local community college. She began working as a certified nursing assistant at a nursing home, and her charge nurses quickly recognized her aptitude for patient care. They encouraged her to continue her professional development. Despite her initial hesitation due to a growing family—now with a second child—she went on to obtain her licensed vocational nurse certification and later her registered nursing degree. All the while, she cared for her two young daughters. She eventually retired from nursing after 20 years as a charge nurse specializing in behavioral health and respiratory care.
Even after retirement, Opal remained active. She returned to school and earned a cosmetology license with hopes of opening a beauty shop in Bon Wier. Not one to sit still, she later returned to nursing, first as a home health nurse, then as a charge nurse at the Veteran Affairs hospital, working with spinal injury patients. Her commitment to caring for the sick was unwavering—demonstrated not only in her career but in her personal life as well. She often stayed at the bedside of ill family members, even when it impacted her own health.
She leaves to cherish her memory: her daughters, Saundra Samuel-McGowan and SheRanda Samuel; grandsons, RyVell McGowan and Tyler Samuel; granddaughter, Unique Samuel; great-granddaughter, Laila; great-grandson, Sammie McGowan; brother, Marvin Nelson Farr; and two special nieces she lovingly referred to as sisters, Vivian and Rita. She is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and in-laws. Opal deeply loved her family and cherished spending time with them. She could still recite most of their names and birthdates even in later years.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband of nearly 50 years, Roosevelt; her parents, Obie and Willie Mae Farr; five brothers—Hoy Sylvester, Utah Joseph, Obie Edward Jr., Garland Richard, and Morgan Philander—and her sister, Lois A. Farr.
Opal enjoyed crocheting, reading her Bible, and listening to gospel music. But above all, she loved God and her family most. Do not mourn Opal’s death, but rejoice in the knowledge that you were an integral part of her life and shared in her love. Continue her legacy by showing strength and trust in God. She will be missed by all—but never forgotten.
Memories and Condolences
for Opal Samuel
Jenise Ross
July 18, 2025
Kookie and Family: Sending love and light to you on the homegoing celebration of life for your beloved mother Opal. May your heart be lighter by the sweetest memories. May you smile quietly at funny moments, fun with her and sister, and family, and to know to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. My condolences, pray and love, to each of you now and in the days ahead. Jenise, Xavier, Zuri, and the Ross/Myrick/Trimiar family.
Enetta Nelson Rose
July 18, 2025
My prayers and condolences are with you and our family. May God's peace be cover you and our family.
Enetta Nelson Rose
July 18, 2025
Your mother and my cousin had a beautiful spirit. She always demonstrated kindness and compassion for others. She will be missed Love, The Nelson Family
Maxine Blakely
July 17, 2025
My pray’s and condolences are with the family. I love and adore everyone of you.
Opal had the most sweetest spirit and quit spoken voice which was just as beautiful as she was. Always smiling and loving with everyone. I will miss her dearly. She and Nelson would visit my mother Roxie and my siblings in Phoenix often. Her and Sang her husband were soooo good to me. I loved them both with all my heart. They would pick me up at the airport whenever I needed a way to Biloxi to visit my mom. Then would come back to my mom’s from Houston and pick me up. I would spend the night there at their home and both of them would treat me as if I were their daughter. Never charging me a penny. That’s Love. They were my family and we shared the same Farr blood as well as Farr Love. When I was just a kid, I loved to be around her and Lois, Pee Farr, Bart all of them. Just thinking about those days and times as I write these words, brings such memories of joy and tears of sadness. Oh how I loved my family. Uncle Obie and Aunt Willie Mae were so loving and sweet. Uncle Obie promised me as a little girl to buy me a petty coat and as I got older, I always made him laugh about that. My mother use to tell us that if we think about someone to get in touch then and I’m sad to say, that no more then a week, maybe 2 weeks ago, I cried to my Oldest sister Ernestine over the phone from Oklahoma about Opal and sang and about how good they treated me and how I missed them and didn’t keep in touch as much. She said to me, it’s not to late get her number and call her. I asked my brother George if he had her phone number and he told me to contact Nelson and now I waited to late. God help me. Opal, I will never forget you and Sang kindness and love and how you always helped me. There’s a place in Heaven for you and Sang. I will miss you and love Uncle and auntie and Allll of you forever.
Your cousin Maxine , Cousin Roxie’s daughter
Ramona Williams
July 16, 2025
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always. Prayers lifted
RIP Opal 2025 from JJFarr Sister Sibs
Brenda Farr
July 14, 2025
RIP cousin Opal
Farr Sisters: Flossie, Helen, Bessie, Brenda
Brenda Farr
July 12, 2025
RIP Opal, our condolence to you and family.
Brenda Farr
July 12, 2025
"Opal you will be missed, love you" Bessie Farr. "I will forever cherish the memory of growing up with you, love you Flossie Farr. "Opal, my the Most High Grant you His Peace, RIP" Brenda Farr
Saundra Samuel-McGowan
July 12, 2025
Your light will continue to shine bright in our hearts Fredia & Ronda
Emma Jenkins Easterling
July 12, 2025
It give me great joy & A Privilege to sign this guest book,, sorry to here of this Beautiful soul Opal Farr Samuel,we grew up together in Bon Weir,,, TX ''Biloxi community those were the good old days Rest in Love & peace ♥Emma Jean Jenkins,,, parents Earnest & Irene Jenkins precious memories shall forever Linger❤
Joyce Womble
July 12, 2025
May God pour out his blessings and love to her family and friends in their time of the lost of their love one.
Ken Farr
July 12, 2025
Aunt Opal you will be forever missed, but not ever forgotten. You were the light we needed so much as we grew from children to adults and for that "We Thank You!"
Rev. Dr. Trudy W. Huff, PhD
July 12, 2025
We loved your mother.
Weeping may endure for a night, but Joy comes in the morning.
We are praying God's comforting blessings and peace for you and the family.
Wanda Johnson
July 12, 2025
Thank you Mrs. Samuel for always having a positive word for me growing up.
Ronda Johnson
July 11, 2025
Saundra, my prayers are with you and the family. Rest in peace Mrs. Samuel.
Pure Joy
Rev. Dr. Jace Jo'Nathan Farr Dawson
July 11, 2025
I could hug you for a lifetime
Janet Riddle
July 10, 2025
Ms. Opal was a joy. We enjoyed her light shining at our Gatherings and missed it when she could no longer attend. Deepest sympathies and God's peace to you all.
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