Opal Lorine Sears Montalbano (86), died January 29, 2009 at the Pine Ridge Nursing Home in Livingston. She was born September 26, 1922 in Plain Dealing, La. to William Isaiah Sears and Minnie Susannah Kirklin Sears.

She attended elementary and junior high schools in Jackson County in La Ward Texas in 1929. Her family returned to Louisiana, settling in Newellton, Tensas Parish in 1937 where she graduated from high school.

She moved to Livingston in 1944, leaving for a short time to attend Odessa Junior College before returning to her beloved Livingston and her family home ""Sears Hill"".

Friends of Opal' referred to her as ""Aunt Opal."" She will always be remembered for her generosity and love of people. One of her proudest professional moments was when she was deputized into Polk County Sheriff' Department, where she worked for 14 years. She held the distinction as the first woman deputy in the state of Texas. At the time, The Houston Post ran a picture of her with her uniform, hat and gun. She also sold Avon products and her love of people made her very successful in this endeavor. She helped to organize and start the Red Cross Volunteer Service in Polk County and volunteered extensively at Livingston Convalescent Home in Livingston. In addition to her Avon career, Opal worked for years at the Livingston cattle auction barn where she met her husband John Frank Montalbano, better known as ""Uncle Johnny.""

Her contributions to Livingston are numerous. She started the first Girl Scout Troop and over the years took her troop to nearly every state in the nation. She was active in the Pilot Club for over 20 years and was a integral part of the Good Neighbors Club, a part of Texas Extension Homemakers, letting the club meet in her home for many years.

She and her husband were known for hosting youth events at their farm ""Sears Hill."" When their daughter and niece were in school in Livingston they hosted many end-of-year school parties. Her most treasured recognition was from her church, Community of Christ Church. In recognition of her devotion and love of the youth of the church she received the first world-wide award given by her world church for outstanding service to youth. In addition to her love of volunteering in her church and community, she loved to bake. Many weekends she and her husband hosted dinners that always ended with at least two of her delicious cakes.

Opal was proceeded in death by her parents, four brothers, one sister and her husband. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Deloris and Roland Buriss, of Silsbee, three grandchildren, Sherri Burris-Runion and husband Mark of Laguna Beach, Ca., Jon Burris and wife Dawn of Beaumont and Ken Burris and wife Christi of Silsbee, two great-grandsons, Nikolas and Lane Burris of Silsbee, nieces Sandra Gokey and husband Charles of Livingston, Evelyn Manning, Mary Ann Akdisson, Norma Lee Lankford and Norma Jean Peters, nephews Steven Sears and Dennis Sears, great-niece Charlotte Treadway of Livingston and great great nephews Jeri, Andy, and Allen. She is also survived by numerous other great nieces and nephews and a host of church brothers and sisters who considered her their ""Aunt Opal.""

The immediate family would like to acknowledge their gratitude to Charles and Sandra Gokey, Leo and Mike Purcell and Fay Bell for their tender loving care.

Funeral services will be Monday February 2nd 2009 at 2:00PM in the Cochran Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Leo Purcell officiating assisted by Dean King and Richard Johnson. Burial will follow in the Restland Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 1:00PM until service time.

In lieu of flowers the family has ask that donations be made to the Hospice Care of the Southwest, 317 W. Church ST., Ste 112 Livingston, Texas, 77351.

Cochran Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements. Please sign the online guest book at www.cochranfh.com