Mrs. Opal Veal Haynes Rhodes, age 91, of Park Avenue in Sandersville peacefully passed away while surrounded by her family on Saturday, March 4, 2023, following an extended illness. A funeral service to celebrate her life will be held on Wednesday, March 8th at 2:00 P.M. in the May and Smith Funeral Home with burial in Brownwood Cemetery of Sandersville. Reverend Nathan Hodges and Reverend Gary Griffin will officiate. Pallbearers will be Donald Blizzard, Max Blizzard, Jordan Fenton, Greg Rossidivito, Joe Rossidivito, Louis Tanner, and Jordy Tingle. Honorary Pallbearers will be Horace Daniel, Bev Evans, Bill Giddens, Willie Leverett, Lee Lord, Clayton Sheppard, and Ralph Todd. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 12:00 P.M. until the hour of service at the Funeral Home.
Mrs. Rhodes was born and reared in Tennille, the daughter of the late Burley Veal and the late Dora Lee Webb Veal. She was a graduate of the Tennille High School. Opal began her working career in downtown Sandersville with Darling’s Five and Dime and Miller’s Food Store before later employment as a Dental Assistant with Dr. Hiram Jackson. She was elected as Washington County Chief Magistrate in 1984 and honorably served the position until her retirement in 2004. Opal enjoyed working in her yards, sewing, painting, and puzzles. Mrs. Rhodes treasured time spent with her family. She is preceded in death by her husbands, Franklin Haynes and Harold Rhodes; and her brothers, Eugene Veal and Louis Veal.
Survivors include her daughters, Barbara H. Cerra of Sandersville, Alisa H. Rossidivito of Sandersville, and Tara Haynes Storey and husband David of Sandersville; grandchildren, Shannon Blizzard and husband Donald, Louis Tanner and wife Jennifer, Greg Rossidivito and wife Sundee, Joe Rossidivito and wife Laura, Durinda Orr, and Ashley Storey and significant other Jordy Tingle; seven great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson.
The family is located at the home of Alisa Rossidivito on McIntyre Street in Sandersville.
Donations may be made to the Piney Mount United Methodist Church Missions Fund, P.O. Box 575, Sandersville, Georgia 31082.
Online condolences may be expressed at mayandsmithfuneraldirectors.com.
May and Smith Funeral Directors is in charge of these arrangements.