Opal Willene Short, daughter of the late Otto Coffey and Edna Ruth Zile Coffey, was born on July 27, 1935, in Essex, Missouri, and departed this life on April 7, 2022, at Eagle Crest Nursing and Rehab Center in Ash Flat, Arkansas at the age of 86 years.

Mrs. Short was a former teacher and retired from Neelyville Schools where she taught second grade. She was a member of the First General Baptist Church in Corning, Arkansas, and a resident of Neelyville, Missouri.

On October 19, 1958, in Essex, Missouri, she was united in marriage to Phillip Short. Mr. Short preceded her in death on February 11, 2022.

She is survived by her daughter, Renee Ritter and husband Steve of Williford, Arkansas; by her brother Lewis “Bud” Coffey of Dexter, Missouri; by her sister Jean Isbell and husband Bob of Dexter, Missouri; by her brother-in-law, Kenneth Short and wife Dottie of Houston, Texas; by two sisters-in-law, Shirley Schafer of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, and Wanda Wyatt and husband Wendell of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and by many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Other than by her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her son Brad Short; by her brother, Curt Coffey; and by four sisters, Audrey Pulling, Martha Tucker, Loretta Mouser, and Geneva Coffey.

Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.

Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Richard Robinson officiating.

Interment will follow in the Dexter Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N Michigan Ave, Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601.

Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.