Two Sisters

Dean and Opal Earp - 1938

Do you have a sister? If you do, you are blessed. I never had a sister although I always wanted one. I have two wonderful brothers, but somehow I feel like I have missed something special by not having a sister. I want to tell you about two sisters whose names were Opal Mary Earp and Veradene Earp. 

Opal and "Dena' grew up together on a farm north of Chandler in Lincoln Co., OK. Their parents were Hughie and Arlie Earp. They had two brothers--Ernie and Wendel. Opal married Archie Pounds in Jan. of 1940. Dena married Ted Phillips in Feb. of 1945. Sometime after 1945 Ted and Dena left Oklahoma and moved to New Mexico. It was the first time the sisters had ever been separated. They both raised families and the years passed. The children all grew up and left home.

About 1976 Dena and Ted moved back to Chandler and purchased a house a couple of blocks from Opal and Archie. The "girls" were thrilled to be living near each other again. Archie and Opal moved to Duncan not long after that, but in the fall of 1990 they returned to Chandler.

Wendel, Opal, Dena and Ernie 1986

 In the fall of 1986 all four brothers and sisters were together for a family reunion at the Phillips home. It was the first time in years they had all been together and sadly, it was the last time that they would ever be together, the four of them.

These were golden years for Dena and Opal. Their friendship flourished and grew. They spent lots of time together visiting and playing games. Then in June of 2000 Archie and Opal felt the need of leaving Chandler again and moving to Tulsa to be near A.M. and his family, as they were getting older and their health was failing.

In Nov. of 2002 Ted passed away and Dena lived alone in Chandler for a time where she had made many friends. Archie passed away in March 2004.

Sammy, Krista, Jill and I spent a week in Glenpool with Mama (Opal) in June of '05. Dena was staying a few weeks with Opal at the same time. We had a great time together. We took the ladies to the Jenks Aquarium. They were like two young girls, both so bright eyed with interest and amazement. We went to Brahms for ice cream and hamburgers. We played Skipbo and read family letters.

Dena and Opal in June 2005, Jenks Aquarium

That same summer Teddy and Bob felt it was time for their mother (Dena) to move to Sandy, Utah, to be near Bob and Jeanie. Soon afterward Teddy came to help his mom pack the things she wanted to take with her. And so it was done. As they said goodbye, Opal promised Dena that she would fly out to Utah the following summer for a visit.

That visit never took place. Both sisters longed to see each other one more time, but old age and dementia was fast creeping up on both of them. Dena was unable to make the trip back to Oklahoma and Opal was unable to conquer her anxieties enough to get on a plane and fly to Utah. They exchanged letters regularly.

When Dena was no longer able to write back, Opal continued to write and send cards. Bob faithfully read the letters to his mother. Dena would keep the latest letter with her for days, holding it in her hand, carrying it around with her, thus, no doubt, feeling closer to her big sister.

In July of 2007 Mother (Opal) came to Louisiana to live as her health was failing and the family thought it best that she be near me, her only daughter. I was thrilled to have her here as I had not lived near her since I had married in 1965.

In April of 2009 Mom fell and thus began her last journey. During these last days in the nursing home she continually thought I was Dena and would call me Dena. I never attempted to tell her any differently. I was honored to be her "Dena".

Opal left us gently and quietly on June 28, 2009 with her family gathered around her. Six months later, Jan. 8, 2010 Dena left this world gently and quietly with her family gathered around her. The two sisters who were apart so much in life were now together for eternity.