Opal Carol Mings

Opal Carol Mings, 89, of Excelsior Springs, MO departed this life on July 19, 2023.

Opal was born on July 29, 1933 at home to “Pat” Ernest Haze Nickols and Norma Aurora (Stadig) Nickols.  Opal celebrated her birthday on July 28^th every year her whole life until she learned in her 80’s that she was actually born on July 29^th upon obtaining a copy of her birth certificate; something she was quite amused by. She was the second eldest of six children; two boys and six girls. She had many fond memories of her siblings and was quite close to them. She had a gift for styling hair and upon graduating from beauty school, opened up her first beauty shop in downtown Excelsior Springs. Her salon was so successful that she was able to open a second location in Liberty. She later sold both locations and opened shop in Lathrop.

She married Emmitt Alfred Mings on September 4, 1954, and of this union five children were born, Michael, Myrna, Nannette, Laura Joann and Jonathan. She had two granddaughters who were much like her own children to her, Rachel and Gwen. She had several grandchildren and loved them all very much.

Opal poured her life into her beauty shops and still managed to be an excellent wife, mother and grandmother. She was a virtuous woman who exceeded them all. In what little free time she had, she enjoyed fishing (a LOT) and playing cards with friends. She gave her life to Jesus as an adult and her heart became to bring honor to Him. She faithfully attended church every week, seldom to never was there a revival that she didn’t make it to every night of, and there was many a Sunday afternoon where Emmitt drove through the countryside and Opal read the Bible out loud. She loved family, friends and laughter. She had a sweet, snarky way of speaking her mind on a subject and then laughing at almost the same time. She was the Yahtzee Master …. she won almost every game.  She was a great cook. She was classy and stylish, and did the very best she could with everything that she had. Even though life was quite rough for her at times (she had to bury all three of her daughters, for example), she was tough. No one could have handled it better than she did. She had an impact on so many and was an example to follow of love, hard work and endurance for all.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Emmitt; parents, Ernest and Norma Nickols; brothers, “Junior” and David Nichols; daughters, Myrna Ellington, Nannette Bretzke and Laura Joann Mings.

Survivors include sons, Michael Mings and wife Kathy, and Jonathan Mings and wife Holly; granddaughters, Rachel Stibal, Gwen Sisco, Rochelle Maze, Malory, Madison, Rebbecca, Isabel and Micailah; grandsons, Daniel Mings, David Mings, Chris, Jordan, Jason and Jeremiah; great grandchildren, Alexis Rock, Roland Sisco, Ezekiel, Elijah and Kameron Mings; sisters, Betty Sue Meadows, Barbara Ann Mayben, Patricia Bengimina; as well as many, many friends and loved ones.

Visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m., Friday, July 28, 2023 with service following at Bross & Spidle Funeral Home, Excelsior Springs. Burial at Crown Hill Cemetery.