White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

INDEPENDENCE – Opal Elida Smith, 103 years old, of Independence, IA, died Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids, IA.

Funeral Services will be 11:00 a.m. - Friday, May 23, 2025, at First Presbyterian Church, Independence, IA, with visitation for an hour before services at the church. Burial will be at Wilson Cemetery in Independence.

Opal was born on March 5, 1922, in Coggon, IA, the daughter of Roy Lyle Waterhouse and Alice Maude (Hunter) Waterhouse. Opal was a vibrant woman whose strength, independence, and love of family carried her through more than a century of life.

She was married to Donald Norton, with whom she had two daughters, Carole and Donna. Donald passed away in May of 1964. Opal later married Lawrence Smith, who passed away in November of 1994.

Opal lived independently in her longtime home in Independence, still cooking, shopping, and enjoying calls, visits, and outings with her family. She especially loved getting her hair done by Ann Newsome—along with getting her nails done, shopping at Fareway, and listening to music.

In earlier years, she enjoyed gardening, crocheting, bowling, dancing, playing bingo and cribbage. As a young woman, she played basketball and the bass clarinet, and was a proud graduate of Winthrop High School.

Over the years, Opal worked on the family farm with her father, served as a nanny, and held positions at the Independence Care Center, The Corn Blossom, Lacy Gee’s Fly Tying, Leo’s Pizza, The Shamrock, and Williams Variety Store. She also gave back to her community by volunteering with Meals on Wheels. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Independence.

Opal is survived by her daughter, Carole (Donald) Mumm; 7 grandchildren, Pamela Mumm, Scott (Jenna) Mumm, Angela (Chris) Jones, David Jones, Jr., Sara Jones, Billie (Chad) Rael, Jon (Penny) Chambers; 18 Great Grandchildren, Garret, Gabrielle, Roman, and Lola Mumm, Megan Gaffney, Cassie Jones, David Jones, III, Frankie Price, Taylor (Kelsin) Price, Jerry Jones, Jr., Makala (Justin) Dirks, Isabella, Ryan, Maria, and Brandon Rael, Jase, Jack, and Tripp Chambers; 9 Great Great Grandchildren, Memphis and Marina, Kaiden, Mya, and Josie, Jasmine, Aydrien, Davina and Kelsin Price, III.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Alice and Roy “Dutch” Waterhouse; her daughter, Donna Jones; her grandson, Jason Jones; her sister, Inez Carpenter; and her brother, Junior Hatfield.

Opal’s resilience and deep love for her family will be remembered always. Her legacy lives on through the many lives she touched.

Memorials may be directed to the family to be given to various organizations.
Condolences may be placed at www.White-MtHope.com.

White Funeral Home of Independence, IA, is in charge of arrangements.