Opal Louise Hines passed away at the age of 94, on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia.
Opal was born in Centralia, IL, on August 27, 1931, to the parents of Clifford and Sarah (Jones) Hadley. In 1953, she united in marriage to Lawrence J. Wallace. To this union, three children were born: Johnny L. Wallace, Crystal V. Wallace, and Ronalyn A. Wallace.
After the passing of Lawrence J. Wallace in 1979, Opal united in marriage with Elder Willie Dan Hines in 1983. To this marriage, they adopted a son, Curtis Hines.
During Opal’s life, she was a faithful lifelong member to the Pentecostal Church of God in Christ.
Opal and her first husband owned and operated Wallace Music Co. in downtown Centralia on Locust Street.
Opal’s passion was being a seamstress at the dress factory in Central City, IL. The company moved to Mascoutah and Opal commuted back and forth until she retired.
Opal kept busy while working, and even after retirement she traveled all over the country for state Convocations, Meetings and Church functions.
After the passing of her second husband, Opal remained strong and independent. While Opal was recuperating from a stroke she had in 2020, she attended online theology classes and in 2024 she attended the graduation and stood to receive her diploma.
Opal believed in being a volunteer blood donor until her illness.
Opal leaves to cherish her children: Johnny (Jackie) Wallace of Jacksonville, Arkansas, Crystal (Ronald) Cawthon of Southaven, Mississippi, and Ronalyn Wallace of Centralia. Her only remaining sibling: Parmela Jean Hadley. Her 9 grandchildren: Christopher Wallace, Clifton Wallace, Leighton Cannon, Mandy Wallace, Cristy “Cris” Cawthon, Ronika Cawthon, Jamie Wallace, Laura Ashby, and Regina Murphy. 9 great-grandchildren and 14 great-great-grandchildren.
Opal’s wish was to live to see her five generations’ great-greats and to live to be 100, since her grandmother had lived to be 102.
Opal was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Alberta Carter, both husbands, son, Curtis Hines, granddaughter, Cassondraw R.L. Cawthon, and a great-grandson, Nico Velazquez.
Funeral Services will be held Friday, February 6, 2026, at 12:00 PM at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home in Centralia. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Centralia. Visitation will be held on Friday morning from 10:00 AM until the time of the service at the Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the family and will be accepted at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home located at 235 North Sycamore Street, Centralia, Illinois 62801, (618)532-3523, who is honored to be of service to Opal’s Family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com and the Funeral Home Facebook page.
