Opal Wilder 
F, (11 March 1918 - 9 October 2002)
Opal Wilder was born on 11 March 1918. She was the daughter of Johnny Wilder and Lou Hill. Opal Wilder married Boston VanBebber, son of James Franklin VanBebber and Betty Malinda Sharp, circa 1938. Opal Wilder died on 9 October 2002 at Claiborne County Hospital, Tazewell, Claiborne County, Tennessee, at age 84 years, 6 months and 28 days. She was buried on 12 October 2002 in the Yoakum Family Cemetery, located in Lone Mountain, Claiborne County, Tennessee.
Her obituary was published on 11 October 2002 in the The Daily News, printed in Middlesboro, Bell County, Kentucky. Her obituary stated:
OPAL VAN BEBBER, 84
SPEEDWELL, Tenn. Ç Opal Vanbebber, 84, Speedwell, Tenn., and resident of Laurel Manor Nursing Home, passed away Oct. 9, 2002, at the Claiborne County Hospital. Born March 11, 1918, Vanbebber was a member of Speedwell Freewill Baptist Church annnd had attended Harrogate Senior Citizens.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Johnny Wilder and Lou Hill Wilder Suttles; her husband, Boston (Boss) Vanbebber; two infant brothers; and sisters: Dorothy Wilder, Lola Whitemore and Leeattis Carroll. Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law: Jimmy and Rita Vanbebber, Speedwell; a daughter and son-in-law: Betty and Junior Branscomb; grandchildren: Joseph Vanbebber, David Vanbebber, Johnny Branscomb and Steven Branscomb; an aunt, Ruby Henley Gibson, Middlesboro; nieces: Wanda Simpson, Middlesboro; Liz Edgeman, Ringgold, Ga; Linda Gale Adkins, Middlesboro; nephews: Alva Vankirk, Middlesboro; L.E. Wilder, Harrogate, Tenn; a special friend, Judy Rosson; and a host of other relatives, friends, great-nieces and nephews.
Visitation is today from 6 to 8 p.m. at Coffey Funeral Home in Harrogate. Funeral services will follow at 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be Saturday at 10 a.m. at Yoakum Cemetery. Pallbearers are Ronnie Simpson, Jeff Simpson, Alva Vankirk, L. E. Wilder, Ronnie Renfro, Allen Adkins, Scott Snow, Bobby Mathis and Eric McFarland. Honorary pallbearers will be Mike Hensley and Eddie Butt. Coffey Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Source: 'The Daily News, Middlesboro, KY.' Friday Oct 11, 2002, Page 5-A. Obituaries Column
From Gary R. Hawpe, ed. and Steve Smith, comp., 'Obituaries - Opal VanBebber, 84,' Van Bibber Pioneers E-Newsletter, Vol. 5 No. 12 (October 2002), p. 21.
Her obituary was published on 11 October 2002 in the The Daily News, printed in Middlesboro, Bell County, Kentucky. Her obituary stated:
OPAL VAN BEBBER, 84
SPEEDWELL, Tenn. Ç Opal Vanbebber, 84, Speedwell, Tenn., and resident of Laurel Manor Nursing Home, passed away Oct. 9, 2002, at the Claiborne County Hospital. Born March 11, 1918, Vanbebber was a member of Speedwell Freewill Baptist Church annnd had attended Harrogate Senior Citizens.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Johnny Wilder and Lou Hill Wilder Suttles; her husband, Boston (Boss) Vanbebber; two infant brothers; and sisters: Dorothy Wilder, Lola Whitemore and Leeattis Carroll. Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law: Jimmy and Rita Vanbebber, Speedwell; a daughter and son-in-law: Betty and Junior Branscomb; grandchildren: Joseph Vanbebber, David Vanbebber, Johnny Branscomb and Steven Branscomb; an aunt, Ruby Henley Gibson, Middlesboro; nieces: Wanda Simpson, Middlesboro; Liz Edgeman, Ringgold, Ga; Linda Gale Adkins, Middlesboro; nephews: Alva Vankirk, Middlesboro; L.E. Wilder, Harrogate, Tenn; a special friend, Judy Rosson; and a host of other relatives, friends, great-nieces and nephews.
Visitation is today from 6 to 8 p.m. at Coffey Funeral Home in Harrogate. Funeral services will follow at 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be Saturday at 10 a.m. at Yoakum Cemetery. Pallbearers are Ronnie Simpson, Jeff Simpson, Alva Vankirk, L. E. Wilder, Ronnie Renfro, Allen Adkins, Scott Snow, Bobby Mathis and Eric McFarland. Honorary pallbearers will be Mike Hensley and Eddie Butt. Coffey Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Source: 'The Daily News, Middlesboro, KY.' Friday Oct 11, 2002, Page 5-A. Obituaries Column
From Gary R. Hawpe, ed. and Steve Smith, comp., 'Obituaries - Opal VanBebber, 84,' Van Bibber Pioneers E-Newsletter, Vol. 5 No. 12 (October 2002), p. 21.
Children of Opal Wilder and Boston VanBebber
Last Edited=19 Feb 2012