Willie Frances Hardie Oppenheim

Graveside services for Willie Frances Hardie Oppenheim, 90, of Thomasville, are at 10 a.m., Friday, August14, 2009 in Laurel Hill Cemetery. Mrs. Oppenheim died Aug. 11 at Archbold Memorial Hospital. Born Feb. 17, 1919, in Friendship, Tenn., she was the daughter of the late Samuel Uriah and Minnie Merle Moore Hardie. On May 18, 1942, in Florence, Ala., she married William Edward Oppenheim, who survives. She attended Virginia Intermont for 2 years. She graduated from the University of North Alabama with a degree in Education and taught school for 1 year. She worked with the Tennessee Valley Authority for 4 years, while her husband was serving in the Navy. Survivors include children, William E. Oppenheim, Jr. and wife, Sara of Dunedin, Fla., Kathryn Leigh Oppenheim Groover and husband, Tommy of Thomasville and Thomas Earl Oppenheim and wife, Kelly of Thomasville; grandchildren, Jill Oppenheim Stachura of Watkinsville, Ga., Laura Oppenheim Underwood of Tampa, Susan Oppenheim of Cumming, Ga., Kate Oppenheim of Atlanta, Ga., Katy Groover Bohman of Hiram, Ga., and Jonmark Thomas Groover, William Chandler Oppenheim, William Thomas Oppenheim and Anna Charles Oppenheim all of Thomasville ; great-grandchildren, David Stachura, Nicholas Stachura, Grace Underwood and Addison Bohman; brother, Samuel Uriah Hardie, Jr. of Florence, Ala.
A tribute to our beloved wife, mother, grandmother and daughter of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Willie Frances Hardie was born to Samuel Uriah Hardie and Minnie Merle Hardie on February 17, 1919in Friendship, Tennessee. Her family moved to Florence, Alabama where she grew up and married William Edward Oppenheim who was also from Florence.
Her Heavenly home going was August 11, 2009. She leaves behind her beloved husband, "Opp", as she always called him, and her remaining family. Her son, William E. Oppenheim, Jr. and his wife, Sara, her son, Dr. Thomas E. Oppenheim, his wife Kelly and her daughter, Kathryn Leigh Groover, her husband, Tommy. She was blessed to have nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
"For me to live is Christ." Philippians 1:21. This was her burning desire after at the age of 36, she was born again of the Spirit, and God's love filled her life so overflowing that she was compelled to go and proclaim the Good News of Salvation to everyone she met. Her heart's desire was especially to reach out to the little children and to the youth of our day who were drawn to her with a magnetic force. She led the "Good News Club" and many children heard the saving gospel and believed. When they moved from Pensacola, Florida to Macon, Georgia, she and her husband held Campus Crusade meetings in their home. Many young people came to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave them His purpose and laid the foundation for their lives through Mrs. Opp's instructing and teaching them the word as often as they needed. Her joy was made full through the Holy Spirit when she spoke the good news of God's love to everyone she met whether stranger or friend. No one was ever a stranger for long. She encouraged by her gift of edifying and exhorting in the faith everyone she met.
Then came her next ministry of the Scripture Pictures. She used the written Word to spread grace, peace and joy through the precious Scripture Pictures that were designed, penned and painted by the Holy Spirit. They are now being spread freely around the world on the walls and hearts of many. She always delighted in the Father's love for her and He granted her passionate desire to bring these powerful life-changing words out of her heart and onto the walls of our homes. For her "To live is Christ."
Here is a poem that she penned for all of the family of God:
"Today", Today is God's Gift of Life to me. A whole day. A new day ? Fresh and clean, unmarried, unscarred here in my hands. Here in my hands. My day?. What shall I do with such a precious gift? Surely if I keep it in my hands I will mar it, I will scar it. There's no way that I can make it really count. This day, my today, can only be safe, can only be sure, to stay clean and pure. To count for eternity in the hands of him who doeth all things well. So here, Lord , here's my day. I give it back to you, it's your day. Live in me, be God in me today.
As we celebrate her home going we finish the scripture of Philippians 1:21, "And to die is gain." The beauty of the Lord is upon her. He hath brought her to his banqueting table and His banner over her is love and in His presence there is fullness of joy. At thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore. Amen and Amen! Visitors may sign the online guest register at www.allenfh.com .