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  • OPAL: Spirit of a Woman

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OPAL: Spirit of a Woman

4.2 out of 5 stars (160)

ON THE DAY SHE WAS BORN, FATE HAD ALREADY DETERMINED HER DESTINY.
A DESTINY FRAUGHT WITH 
ABANDONMENTWANTSERVITUDEAND REWARD.

"OPAL" ultimately succeeds as both intimate portrait and social history. Heaton has rescued from obscurity a life that deserves remembrance, not only for its extraordinary attributes but, additionally, for its embodiment of virtues that transcend time and place. In an era that often celebrates flash over substance, this meditation on quiet strength and sustained grace offers a refreshing counter-narrative about what constitutes a life well-lived."   
Book of the Day

"A powerful testament to the indomitable human spirit that transforms a painful personal history into a universal story of triumph, grace, and the capacity to create meaning from suffering."  
Leggere Loft - 5 stars

"OPAL: Spirit of a Woman" is the story of Mary Opal Fetters/George; a courageous woman who lost her mother to childbirth at the tender age of seven, was sold into bondage by a father who no longer wished to care for her... and forced into child labor in another state for many years. In spite of all the odds stacked against her—she championed a legacy of grace. 

"Her eyes were set deeply into the granite-like constitution of her gaze. Not a cold-hearted stare, but translucent; like the serene look of a farm pond at dusk. And, although her shoulders were slightly bent from plain old fashioned hard work, it wasn't an arthritic stoop - more like the resolute position she'd assumed throughout her lifetime to guarantee her own survival."

"You see, this was still "The Great Depression," and the screen door her family was shivering and sweltering behind was that same old door attached to the same old "Sharecropper Shanty" they'd started out in. But for Opal, the decision to head to California during those difficult days or stay and 'tough things out,' was what we call nowadays: 'a no-brainer.' Some refer to it as 'frontier spirit,' or 'the will to go on.' Whatever you choose to label it; in her case—those principles were simply the foundation on which she chose to live out her life. Then, after having whisked away all those "Dust Bowl" gales - s
he began to pay all that survivor's grit forward. Time after time through the years; into decades - she answered the call to serve others. Never mind their beliefs or their station in life, so long as the end result was to benefit those who were suffering the most."

Marcia Wilson /5.0 out of 5 stars 
Facing life with courage and abiding faith. 
Opal will touch your heart. This is a loving tribute to a woman who grew up in hard scrabble times and faced hardship and tribulations with courage and grace.
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"OPAL: Spirit of a Woman" is the soul-stirring journey of a woman who transformed childhood slavery into a legacy of service, proving that our deepest wounds can become our greatest gifts to humanity." Albert L.

From the Author

The very first time I really got to know Opal was when I first put my feet under her kitchen table for a meal. The same kitchen table around which she nurtured and fed all of us fortunate enough to have been called her own.  

 It was the summer of 1974, and I had only recently begun dating her youngest daughter, Charlotte. As was still the time-tested custom of the day, I'd been invited over for Sunday dinner in order to become more acquainted with the family, and to be gently but firmly given the melon thumping ripeness test to determine if I passed muster. You see, my Mother-In-Law to be was more than a little bit hesitant to see any of her brood marry and leave home. That notwithstanding, Charlotte and I did indeed marry later that same year. That very first Sunday at Opal's house around that modest, yellow, 1950's model kitchen table—I felt a sense of peace that passed all my understanding. A peace I'd never known—one that had long ago been made real in her life through trials, laughter, suffering, and by her faith. Even then, I sensed an aura about her. Not a halo yet, that would surely come later. More like the unique feeling you get when you find yourself in the presence of someone very special.  

Although her shoulders were slightly bent from plain old fashioned hard work; it wasn't an arthritic stoop but rather—a resolute position she had taken throughout her life to try and show it who was really boss. 

Her eyes were set deeply into the granite constitution of her gaze. Not a cold stare—more like the translucent, serene look of a farm pond at dusk.
 
Throughout the years before and since that day, success story after success story have taken their first bold steps out the front door of her three room oil  lease house—cloaked in the righteousness of her first love. Each and every one of those gifted people have paid her example forward into a lost and searching world far too unfamiliar with the terms: selflessness, service, dedication, and faith. Throughout her life and legacy, countless individuals have come to realize the reward of sharing those gifts who, otherwise, might never have risen above their own understandings.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DXV35L5Y
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 4, 2025
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 33.3 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 182 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Best Sellers Rank: #1,007,288 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars (160)

About the author

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Kevin Heaton
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Kevin Heaton hikes, lives and writes in Wonder Valley, California. His work has appeared in over 400 print and online journals including: Guernica, Beloit Poetry Journal, Rattle, The Adroit Journal, and Raleigh Review, (search: Kevin Heaton Poems) and has been selected "Best of the Net." He is a three-time Pushcart Prize nominee. "Where's Chuckawalla Bill's Cabin?" was his first Nonfiction offering.

"OPAL: Spirit of a Woman," his latest memoir, is the true story of Opal Fetters/George. An amazing tale of abuse, faith, and survival set in Kansas and Oklahoma during the "Great Depression," and beyond.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
160 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

  • 5 out of 5 stars
    Very Impressive
    Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2025
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    What a wonderful story and it deserves a ten out of five Stars.. Where do I begin? Firstly, for Opal's son-in-law to write this says a lot about her special remarkable character. She must have touched him profoundly for him to care enough, to research through her life before the huge task of writing all down succinctly.

    The descriptions were excellent and together with the many photos I could picture everything from the beginning to end.

    The sadness, hurt, loneliness when given away as a little child to the hope, happiness and appreciation of falling in love with Ted, and marrying. There was no complaining about her lot in life, no feeling sorry for herself although she easily could have, but instead she just got on with making the best out of every situation. I feel that this book would make an excellent Christian, thought provoking, movie. I know that what I read will remain in my mind, for a long time.

    Jesus really lived in Opal's heart. Everything she did demonstrated her desire to live her life according to God's Word.

    3 people found this helpful
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  • 4 out of 5 stars
    Great book
    Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2025
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    I really enjoyed this book. Opal lived a life of love, strength, determination and faith in God. Her life should be an inspiration to all of us.

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  • 5 out of 5 stars
    Great book , strength through Faith in Jesus Christ
    Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2025
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    Thankful that the author decided to share a story about the family he married into. Story of Faith, Love and Strength. The pictures along in the book were a bonus. Would encourage all to read this wonderful book.

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  • 3 out of 5 stars
    Precious story
    Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2025
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    Although written very simply, the story of Opal's life is an inspiration. She faced challenges head-on while remaining a loving, positive person.

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  • 5 out of 5 stars
    An ordinary life of a not so ordinary woman!
    Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2025
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    A well-written memoir of the author's mother-in-law. I felt like I got to know her through the book. Small town Oklahoma had a bunch of stories to tell and this is one of them.

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  • 5 out of 5 stars
    Facing life with courage and abiding faith.
    Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2025
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    Opal will touch your heart. This is a loving tribute to a woman who grew up in hard scrabble times and faced hardship and tribulations with courage and grace.

    One person found this helpful
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  • 4 out of 5 stars
    Interesting, historical family
    Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2025
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    Saga. It sheds an honest light on the hardships of growing up and building a family in rural Oklahoma. The religious foundation and hard working ethics of this family demonstrates the power of these traits. Read on and learn

    One person found this helpful
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  • 5 out of 5 stars
    Amazing book
    Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2025
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    Such a good read. I am so glad I know this family. What an inspiration it is to read her story. Very good job, Kevin. Thank you. So sorry to hear about Charlotte. 🙏

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Top reviews from other countries

  • 5 out of 5 stars
    Interesting memoir
    Reviewed in Canada on April 5, 2025
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    An interesting read about a fascinating woman. The struggles, trials and calamities she faced, overcame and created a good life for her children is truly amazing. The world is a better place because of people like Opal.

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  • 3 out of 5 stars
    A very thoughtful read.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 22, 2025
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    I came across this book when I saw a reader talking about it on X, so I out of curiosity I thought I would give it a try. It is the memoir of Opal and strong-willed and determined woman, and of the struggles that followed her from her childhood and through her adult life. A well-written and inspiring story.

    Although I felt it seemed to plod along at times, I persevered, which I glad I did because by the time I finished it made me look at my own life.

    An interesting and thoughtful read.

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