Opal Auton Obituary

Opal Ward Auton died July 10, 2024 in Alexandria, Virginia. "Death has nothing to do with going away. The sun sets. The moon sets. But they are not gone." ~Rumi.

Opal was from Clermont, Florida, where she lived for 41 years. She and her husband, Ernest Eugene Auton, "Gene", moved there from Temperance, Michigan in 1983 after both retired. Opal continued to live there after her husband Gene Auton died on September 19, 1999.

Opal was born on October 4, 1930 in Watauga County, North Carolina. She and Gene married in 1948. They had 2 children, Erna J. Auton and Gary Lee Auton. Both Opal and Gene decided to retire and move to a warm state that Opal wanted to live, Florida. Opal did not want to ever deal with the cold and snow again. Their children and Grandchildren, often stayed there, enjoying Opal and Gene. Opal later enjoyed the Great Grandchildren's visits.

Opal's parents were Josie Perkins Ward and Warren J. Ward, both deceased. Her older brother, William S. Ward (Pauline Ward) deceased. Her sisters, Verna Mae Ward Hagaman (Lloyd Hagaman) deceased, and Laura Ward, deceased. Her Children, Erna J. Auton (Louis V. Middleton) and Gary Auton survive. Opal's Grandchildren, Sean David Auton and Zora Auton, her Great grandchildren, Sam Auton Bacon, Conor Henry Auton, Declan Auton and Rowan Tristan Auton survive her in death.

Because of HURRICANE HELEN FLOODS in North Carolina, Opal's Memorial Service has been scheduled on her birth date, Saturday, October 4, 2025, 12 noon at Green Valley Baptist Church Cemetery, Watauga County, North Carolina. She will rejoin her husband and family.