Opal Matilda Rountree Brown, 88, of Hawthorne, went to be with her Lord on Friday, Feb 3, 2012. Opal was born May 26, 1923 in Hawthorne, FL to Thomas Columbus and Hester Elizabeth Greene Rountree.She was a lifetime member of Orange Heights Baptist Church and was a truly devoted Christian woman. Mrs. Brown loved cooking and taking care of her family.Opal was preceded in death by her husband of 55 yrs, Daniel W. Brown Sr. in 2001.She is survived by sons, Daniel W. (Janet Hearn) Brown Jr., Mark A. (Debbie) Brown, daughter, Cheryl B. (Gregory) Shaw, brother, Donald Rountree, sisters, Dorothy Philpot, and Beth Sharp, 9 Grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.The family will receive friends on Monday, Feb. 6, 2012 at the funeral home from 5:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m., Graveside Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012 at 11:00AM at Forest Meadows Memorial Park, East in the Military Garden of Honor, 3700 S.E. Hawthorne, Rd., Pastor Lonnie Broome will be officiating.In Lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy may be made to Orange Heights Baptist Church Building Fund. Funeral Home Forest Meadows Funeral Home 725 NW 23rd Avenue Gainsville FL - 32609 US 352-378-2528