Opal Claudine Swyers, nee Stites, 93, of Steelville passed away Sunday, February 28, 2010 at Gibbs Care Center in Steelville, MO. She was born September 11, 1916 to Walter J. and Maude Jane (Stroud) Stites in Lenox, MO. On December 24, 1931, she was united in marriage to Julius Warner Swyers who preceded her in death in December of 1999. Opal was a member of the Cherryville Baptist Church in Cherryville, MO. She enjoyed gardening and spent many hours canning the results of her labor. In her spare time she would fish, but what she enjoyed most was having Sunday dinner for her family. Many times her home was the gathering place for many children. She will be sadly missed by her two sons, Julius Swyers Jr. and wife Carol of Salem, MO and Jerry Swyers and wife Donna of Warrenton, MO; two daughters, Anna Marie Jacobs and husband Bill of Tucson, AZ and Mable Pyatt and husband Harry of Wentzville, MO; one sister-in-law, Ruth Swyers of Steelville, MO; ten grandchildren; twenty-seven great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Julius; one daughter, Betty Ruth Swyers; two brothers, Minford Stites, Winford Stites and wife Dovie, Lorraine Oxendine and husband James and Bernice Stites; one brother-in-law, Euin Swyers. Visitation was from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, March 1, 2010 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO. Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO with Rev. Jerry Beers officiating. Early in the service, in honor of his great-grandmother, Jonathan Pyatt played a song that was written by him. Special music of "No More Night" was sung by Harry Pyatt. Many special memories from the family were read during the service. Committal prayer and burial in the Cherryville Baptist Cemetery in Cherryville, MO. Honored to be casket bearers were Kyle Pyatt, Kenton Pyatt, Kevin Pyatt, Greig Swyers, Michael Swyers and Mark Swyers. Honorary casket bearers were Keith Pyatt, Linda Pittner, Shanna Foley, Sheri Rosequist and Kenneth Jacobs. The Family was served by the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, MO.