Opal Cates

OPAL CATES of North Little Rock, went to be with her Heavenly Father on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018, at the age of 90. She was born Nov, 28, 1927 in England, Ark., to the late Leonard and Jenny (Evans) Krisell. She graduated from Plum Bayou High School in 1945. Opal was a loving and devoted wife to her late husband, Sam, and supported him throughout his career. They raised four children together. She worked at West Department Store in North Little Rock for over 17 years and after that she was a homemaker. Opal was a member of Graves Memorial Baptist Church in North Little Rock. The most important things in her life were her family and church. She was the best mother, grandmother and friend that anyone could ever ask for. She gave all the love that she could possibly give and she was loved by so many. She will be greatly missed. She is survived by four children, Jennifer Miller, Wayne Cates, Regina Chambers and Sammy Cates (Diana); nine grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and her siblings, Ellen Mae Sloan, Clara Faye Chance, and Junior Krisell; and a host of family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jenny and Leonard Krisell; husband, Samuel Cates; siblings, Pearl Sanders, Laverne Way, Martha Buffalo, Herbert, Billy, Othel and Buddy Krisell; and her special son-in-law, Lomer Chambers. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m., on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018, at Smith-North Little Rock Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 11:30 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018 at the funeral home. Burial will be at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Graves Memorial Baptist Church, 4617 Oak Grove Road, North Little Rock, AR 72118. Online obituary at www.SmithFamilyCares.com.