Alice Opal

Alice Opal New, age 90, of Little Rock, passed away on Tuesday, July 28, 2009. A devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and member of Dayspring Baptist Church in Maumelle, Opal was an optimist who loved to laugh. Born June 14, 1919 in Tishomingo, Oklahoma, she was the daughter of Claude Price and Ruby Lindley Price. Opal worked as supervisor for the clothing manufacturer Kellwood Company for 31 years before retiring in 1979. She volunteered for the V.A. Hospital, Old Baptist Hospital and was a member of the Disabled American Veterans and Auxiliary, serving in a number of positions and finally as President for the State of Arkansas.
In 1935, she married Carl Sandage with whom she had three children. Two were lost as babies and Larry Sandage, former Vietnam combat photographer, died in 1982 at 38.
In 1975, she married Fay New of Little Rock. For 25 years, they enjoyed a happy life together in the home he built. Opal ran a small home quilting and alterations business for twenty years, sewing 1,705 quilts, 1,108 baby quilts, and crocheting 67 afghans. After Fay's death in 2000, his large family remained very close to her.
Survivors are one sister, Alleen Ridgeway; one son, Ricky New, and wife, Rita of Maumelle; one daughter, Barbara Breeding and husband, Faye of Little Rock; grandchildren and spouses, Chivas Sandage, Larry and Marie Sandage, Steve and Tara, Ken and Norma, Barry and Tonya, and Kevin and Karen Breeding, Chris New and Tricia Larson, Jeremy New, Vikki and Devon Hudgens, Amanda Perry, Alda and Steven Norcross, Barrie and Annabel Bryant, and Cullen Bryant; twelve great grandchildren and spouses, Carrie and Matthew Miller, Barrett and Amy, Jeff and Laura, Stacy, Matt, Todd, Mallory, Natalee, Nathan, and Andrea Breeding, Sophie Macary, Eric and Nolan Sandage, and Shelby Hudgens; and two great-great grandchildren, Lily and Samuel Breeding.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 31 at Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct. (NW corner I-630 and Barrow Rd.), Little Rock, Rev. David Ward officiating, with burial at Old Salem Cemetery in Gravesville (near Damascus). Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Arkansas Hospice, 5600 W. 12th St., Little Rock, AR 72204 or Dayspring Baptist Church, P.O. Box 13166, Maumelle, AR 72113.
Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501)224-2200. Online guestbook at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.