Opal Ann Smythers Alford, age 95, of Galax, VA died Saturday, August 6, 2011 in the Twin County Regional Hospital, Galax, VA.

Mrs. Alford was born in Carroll County, Virginia on July 05, 1916 to Walter and Augusta Jones Smythers. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin M. Alford and sister, Emma Louise Smythers.

She is survived by a sister, Daphna Rosenbaum of Galax, VA; brother and sister-in-law, Lewis and Helen Smythers of Abingdon, VA; sister, Ruth Smythers of the home with whom she lived since 1994; nephew and wife, Ken and Shirley Rosenbaum,; niece, Elsie Davis; nephew and wife, W.L. (Butch) and Patricia Sexton,; niece and husband, Susie and Robert Waller; nieces, Linda Rosenbaum, Janet Smythers and nephew, David Smythers; step-daughter and husband, Mary and Dr. Ned Litz; step grand-daughters, Paige and Courtney; several great nieces and nephews who loved her like their "Granny"; caretakers, Debbie Lundy, Betty Jo Vaughan, Lorraine Westerman and Sharon Cooper. She will be missed by all who knew her.

She graduated from Fries High School in 1934 and attended Business College in Bluefield, WVA.
Her employment included The Rationing Board during World War 11 for which she received a Certificate of Recognition from the U.S. Government. She worked for Appalachian Power Company in Pulaski, VA until she and her husband, along with other family members, ran the Alford Brothers Store in Poplar Camp, VA. Interstate 77 created closure of it in the 1970's. She belonged to Bethany United Methodist Church where she held offices. Later, when moving to the Fries area, she was a member of Mt. Hope United Methodist Church also holding many offices and teaching Sunday School in both churches for many years. She was Secretary of the Carroll County Senior Center Board until her health prevented her from writing the Minutes.

Her motto was to "Return good for evil" and " To live today as if there would be no tomorrow.

The funeral service will be held Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2011 at 2:00 PM in the Mount Hope United Methodist Church with the Rev. Tim Smith and the Rev. Ron Hill officiating. Burial will follow in the Mt. Hope Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM Monday at the Vaughan-Guynn Funeral Home, Galax. VA. In lieu of flowers the family request memorials be made to the Mt. Hope Cemetery Fund, c/o Warren Johnson, 223 Winterberry Road, Galax, VA 24333.