Opalene Cox Howard

Opalene Cox Howard passed on to the arms of our Heavenly Father on Monday, January 15, 2024, after her courageous battle with dementia.  She passed peacefully with her family by her side.   She was 89 years old.

Opalene was born to Roy and Naomi Cox on July 28, 1934, in Lamesa, Tx.  Together with her parents and brother, they lived in their little rock home on the farm in Patricia, Tx.  She graduated from Klondike High School in 1951.  She earned her bachelor’s degree in education from McMurry College in 1955.   She was an educator for almost 3 decades working in the Ysleta ISD, the Socorro ISD and the Crane ISD.  She earned her master’s degree from Sul Ross University in 1984 and worked as an educational diagnostician in the Ector County ISD until 1999.  She retired from Red Oak ISD in 2007.

Opalene's heart was as big as the state of Texas.  She loved her family dearly.  Her children were the light of her life and her relationship with her brother was cherished.  She was an amazing Mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, colleague and friend.   She touched the lives of so many people.   She always had a special place in her heart for her dogs and her grand-dogs.  She will truly be missed and will never, ever be forgotten.

Opalene was greeted in Glory by her devoted parents, Roy Cox and Naomi Cox Simnacher; her husband, Melvin Howard; and her favorite aunt, Opal Robnett.

Opalene leaves to cherish the memory of her children: Joe Moore (Yvette) of Lubbock, Tx., Cindy Cook (Doug) of Kyle, Tx., Debbie Howard of Lubbock, Tx. and Indi Howard of Waxahachie, Tx.; 7 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild; as well as her brother, James Cox (Wanda) of Grapevine, Tx.  and extended family members.   

Visitation will be held Thursday, January 18, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Harkey Funeral Home Chapel.  A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, January 19, 2024, at Harkey Funeral Home Chapel followed by burial at the Monahans Memorial Cemetery.   In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made in Opalene's name to the Alzheimer's Association, the Dementia Society of America, the Cure Alzheimer's Fund or the Lewy Body Dementia Foundation.

Pallbearers are as follows: Abel Ramos, Zachary Ramos, Robyn Gregory, Cody Gregory, Doug Cook, Gracien Arreguy, and Jason Cryer.

Services are entrusted to Harkey Funeral Home.  If you would like to send the family your condolences, you may do so by signing her guestbook at www.harkeyfunerals.com.