Opal Johnson

Funeral services for Mrs. Opal Frances Brizendine Wakefield Johnson will be 1 p.m. on Tuesday January 7 at Collegeside Church of Christ in Cookeville. Bro. Joe Roberts will officiate. Graveside services and interment will follow at 3:30 p.m. at Crestview Cemetery in Gallatin, TN. Her family will receive friends from 5 - 7 p.m. Monday January 6 at the Cookeville Chapel of Hooper, Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home. Friends may also visit with the family Tuesday from 12 - 1 p.m. before the service at the church. Mrs. Johnson passed away Thursday morning January 2, 2019 at the age of 91 years, having lived a life of service to Jesus Christ. She was born July 31, 1928 in Athens, AL to the late Edwin Earl and Dula Wooldridge Brizendine. She and her mother were members of the Madison Church of Christ in Nashville, TN. She graduated from David Lipscomb High School and was married to Howard Reese Wakefield of Gallatin, a minister and school administrator for 39 years. They served Churches of Christ in Tennessee, Georgia, and Kentucky and the students of Crossville High School and Georgia Christian School. They were house parents at Happy Haven Home in Cookeville. After Mr. Wakefield's death, Mrs. Wakefield remained a widow for 14 years. During that time, "Mama O" served as dorm mother for men at Freed-Hardeman University. The family appreciates the many expressions of gratitude "her boys" have shared with them for her loving care. She was blessed to live 17 years as the wife of Max Johnson, her high-school sweetheart. Together they served the Columbus Church of Christ in Columbus, MS and the Collegeside Church of Christ as elder and wife. Through the Let's Start talking Program, they shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the India, Romania, Brazil, Honduras, and other nations. Opal shared her wit, wisdom, sense of humor, unforgettable stories and heart for Christ with women around the world in ladies' day programs and those blessed to talk with her. Opal is survived by her children, Steve (Shelia Hall) Wakefield, of Cookeville, Judy (Mike) Shero of Grand Junction, CO, Janice (Randy) Ingram of Farmers Branch, TX, Kathy (Glen) Henton of Jackson, TN, Tony (Laura Shriner) of Wakefield, and Jonathan (Tracy Wheeler) Wakefield of Katy, TX; her "children by choice," Boone (Monica Cope) Eldridge of Cookeville, Judy Ramer of Louisville, KY, Donna Kinnard, Cookeville, and her step-children, Phillip (Janet Richardson) Johnson of Cherry Hill, NJ, Sherrylee (Mark) Woodward of Garland, TX; 37 grandchildren, and 57 great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Howard R. Wakefield of Gallatin, her second husband, Max L. Johnson of Cookeville; and Max's oldest daughter, Linda (Don) Samanie of Fort Worth, TX. Grandsons in attendance will serve as pallbearers. Memorial gifts may be made to Happy Haven Children's Home, 2311 Wakefield Drive, Cookeville, TN 38501. Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home in is charge of arrangements. (931)526-6111 Share your thoughts and memories at www.hhhfunerals.com.