Opal Ouida Mathes

Ouida Mathes, 85, of Unionville, MO, passed away peacefully at the Putnam County Care Center in Unionville on Tuesday, January 1, 2019.

Opal Ouida (Casady) Mathes was born near Graysville, MO, on October 2, 1933, the daughter of Elvin K. and Willadean (Hays) Casady. She was the granddaughter of Everett and Daisy Hays and Everett and Bell Casady. Ouida attended Graysville grade school and graduated from Unionville High School in 1950. She was united in marriage to Junior E. Mathes on August 12, 1950, and he preceded her in death on January 1, 2013.

Ouida is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Jeneen (Dennis) Brown of Kirksville, MO; and two sons and daughters-in-law, Dan (Debra) Mathes of Jefferson City, MO, and Dana (Stacy) Mathes of Unionville, MO. Her eight grandchildren are Jenny (Nathaniel) Alexander, Gentry Brown, Stacey Mathes, Justin Mathes, Haley Ballanger, Jordan Mathes, Hannah Mathes and Grant Mathes. Ouida is also survived by two grandchildren, Rhett and Emery Alexander, as well as a brother-in-law, Kermit Hamilton, a sister-in-law, Joyce Casady, and several nieces and nephews.

Ouida was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Everett Junior Casady, and a sister, Nettie Chloe Hamilton. She was also preceded in death by four brother and sisters in-law: Clyde and Ruby Martin, Jack & Rita Buster, Ray and Dorothy Butler, and Berdean and Willa Richardson.

Ouida lived her entire life in Putnam County. She attended Northeast Missouri State University and taught in country schools for four years. She became a teacher for Head Start in 1965. She retired in 1998 after 33 years with Head Start. Ouida was a member of First Christian Church in Unionville.

Ouida never lost her love for young children and enjoyed teaching immensely. She was a devoted mother and grandmother who always put her family first. She had a great capacity to love and an inner strength that never wavered. Her love for family ran deep and true. Ouida enjoyed cooking for her family, gardening, reading, and spending time with her grandchildren. We give thanks to God for her faith and enduring love.

Funeral services for Ouida Mathes will be at Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home in Unionville at 1:00 pm on Friday, January 4, 2019, with visitation from 11:30 – 1:00 pm on the same day of the service. Interment will be at the Unionville Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Mathes Scholarship Fund for graduating seniors at Putnam County R-1 High School entering the field of elementary education. These may be entrusted with Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO 63565.