Opal Decker Howell, 91, of Murphy died Sunday. Nov. 15, 2009 in a Murphy medical center. She was a native and lifetime resident of Cherokee County. She was co-owner and operator of Howell’s Market for 37 years. Opal was a member of the Murphy First Baptist Church.

She was the daughter of the late John and Ida Johnson Decker and the wife of the late Richard A. Howell, who died Dec. 21, 2006.

Surviving are a son, James Steven Howell and wife, Donna of Young Harris, GA;  a brother, Charlie Decker and wife, Essie of Murphy;  three sisters-in-law, Virginia “Jo” Decker of Baton Rouge, LA, Cora Decker of Gastonia, NC, and Katharyn Montieth and husband, Claude of Bryson City, NC;  and a granddaughter, Cammie Howell Brion of Raleigh, NC.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 PM Tuesday, Nov. 17 in the Chapel of the Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy with Rev. Fred Lunsford officiating. Interment was in the Sunset Cemetery.

The family received friends from 12:00-1:45 Tuesday afternoon at the Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy prior to the services.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in memory of Opal Decker Howell to the Murphy Medical Center Nursing Home, Activities Department, 3990 E. US Hwy 64 Alt., Murphy, NC 28906.

Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy in charge of all arrangements.