Funeral services for Ophelia Mehalia Burleson, 95, of Livingston, Texas, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, January 6, 2020 in the Cochran Funeral Home Chapel in Livingston, Texas. Interment will follow in the Forest Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until the service begins at 10:00 a.m. in the funeral home.

Ophelia Mehalia Fails Burleson was born June 21, 1924 in Walker County, Texas to Braxton "Brack" Fails and Ethel Samuels. Ophelia grew up on the family farm in Crabb's Prairie, Texas along with her siblings, which precede her in death: Lawrence Fails, Huola Fails Preston, Willie Fails Handley, and Doris Fails Phillips.

Ophelia graduated from Huntsville High School in 1943 and married Clayton Douglas Burleson in 1947. Ophelia worked for Southwestern Bell as a telephone operator for nearly two decades, transferring from Huntsville to Beaumont, Texas when she and Clayton moved in 1950. In 1959 Ophelia and Clayton moved from Beaumont to Livingston, Texas, where they spent the remainder of their years. Shortly after moving to Livingston, Ophelia and Clayton were blessed with their only child, Billie Jean Burleson Bohan, then later, grandchildren, Calicia, Clay, and Castyn-Billie Jean and Daniel Bohan's children. Ophelia was quite the farmhand, she enjoyed keeping track of the cattle and documenting any changes in the herd.

She was a great friend, hosting coffee at her home at ten and two daily. She was an active member of Central Baptist Church of Livingston, until her later years. Ophelia was genuinely kind hearted and always had a smile on her face or words of encouragement for any situation. She was strong in her faith and trusted in God fully. Ophelia was quite the cook and the baker, for her 90th birthday, her grandchildren created a recipe book of some of her best recipes; though don't ask for exact measurements, it was always a pinch of that or a dash of this. Ophelia enjoyed playing cards and dominos and was a member of various service organizations. She was the first to lend a hand or to inspire people to better themselves whether in their careers, education, or personal relationships.

Ophelia is survived by Billie Jean, her grandchildren and their spouses: Alexander Kampf, Laci Boley Bohan, and Matthew Srader. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren: Brylee George, Tabitha Bohan, Brack Bohan, and Danli Bohan. Terri Monfort, daughter of Huola Fails Preston, was considered a second daughter to Ophelia, along with Terri's daughter, Kimberly Monfort. Ophelia is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews as well as extended family and friends on both her and Clayton's side of their family.

Pallbearers: Clayton Bohan, Castin Srader, Calicia Kampf, Wallace Burleson, Carlos Burleson, David Burleson, Steve Phillips, Terry Morris, Clay Townsend

Honorary Pallbearers: Terri Monfort, Kimberly Monfort