Ophelia was born June 28, 1950, in Lula, Mississippi to Ozzie Lee Smith and Peter Rice. At the age of five, after the passing of her biological mother, she moved to St. Louis, MO where she was loved, nurtured, and raised by her mother (maternal aunt) Lessie Hunter. Ophelia was the third child of six children.
She worked in various roles in manufacturing and retail before eventually leaving the workforce to raise her children.
She attended Vashon High School and during her high school years she met her first husband. While this union did not last forever as she had hoped, it’s when she gained her most treasured title – “MOTHER.”
Ophelia later married Sidney Frazier, the founding pastor of New Paradise M.B. Church where she faithfully served until his passing in February 1977. Ophelia found love again and married Lonnie Colyer who passed unexpectedly in June 1998.
At an early age, Ophelia established a relationship with Christ and diligently worked in the church. She was a devoted member of Centennial Holyland M.B. Church., St Louis, MO for over 40 years under the leadership of Pastor Chat Jefferson then later Pastor Franklin Jefferson. There she worked tirelessly as a member and president of the mother’s board; and helped oversee and guide three generations of the youth choir. Many of those choir members, who are adults now, will tell you how she influenced their lives with words of encouragement, hugs, and even a switch from the tree when necessary. Ophelia loved children and working with the youth choir brought great reward. She also enjoyed fishing, driving fast cars, and watching St. Louis Cardinal Baseball.
Ophelia Colyer, a child of the Risen King, was called home to be with our Lord and Savior on August 6, 2021.
She was preceded in death by her loving husbands: Sidney Frazier and Lonnie Colyer; both her biological parents: Ozzie and Peter Rice; the mother who raised her, Lessie Hunter and two brothers: Peter Rice Jr., and Charlie Rice.
Ophelia leaves to cherish her memory her seven children: Marvin (Stephanie) Coleman, Veronica Coleman, Tonia Coleman, Yolanda Frazier, Sidney (PeeJay) Frazier, Dwan (Felicia) Colyer and Connie Colyer; 14 grandchildren: Jasmine (Aaron) Ballwin, Jeremy Hamilton, Tyler Coleman, Eboni (Lonell) Reece, Eric Coleman, Nija Frazier, D’Tonio White, D’Angelo White, Cam’Ron Like, Ken’Yon Frazier, Indya Frazier, Amyah Colyer, Kayla Colyer and Ayden Colyer; five great-grandchildren: Lonell Reece Jr., Addisyn White, Obadiah Ballwin, Avery Ballwin and Ahmaj Hamilton; three siblings: Hollis (Diane) Rice, Gregory Hunter, Ozzie Rice and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
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