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Note: Opal was born and raised on a farm near Brashear, in Adair County, Missouri. Living on neighboring farms were her Cornell and Ferguson grandparents and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. There was much interaction in this extended family, and these were happy years.
She attended a one room schoolhouse-the Hazel Green School, located just northwest of her grandfather, "Matt's" farm. All the Cornell and Ferguson children attended this school for several generations. She was graduated from the eighth grade. She wanted to attend High School, but couldn't, as it was located in Kirksville, and there was no transportation. She would have had to live in town with someone, (probably her Cornell grandparents) and her mother was not receptive to that idea. She would have liked to have been a nurse, but her mother would not let her be around "naked men". These restrictions were a major reason for her marrying as soon as she was able.
When Opal was in her early elementary years at school, she used to walk with "Doc", her father's youngest brother, (Uncle Etheridge), who lived on a nearby farm. Doc was closest to her age and he "looked after her". He was her favorite uncle. After he married, he moved to Montana. He wanted Opal and Myrl to join him there. She often wished they had gone West instead of to Chicago, and wondered what life would have been like. She did remain in contact with her uncles and cousins, exchanging cards, letters, and occasional visits over the years. She became the unofficial family historian.
Opal and Myrl moved to Chicago, Illinois (around 1926) when Lee was a baby. They lived in an apartment in south west Chicago, near 63rd and Halstead. They were so close to the elevated train that "you could look out your window and see the faces of the people on the train."
They bought a house in Chicago Ridge, Illinois. While living there, Opal took the bus into Chicago to attend classes in hotel management. She worked for a short time at a downtown hotel, but since they were 25 miles out of town, and she had to take a bus and subway, it just didn't prove practical. (Opal never did learn how to drive a car.) After she and Myrl moved to Columbus Manor, in 1947, she took a part time position with Sears--not quite as far away as "downtown" was. She worked there for several years, and in about 1952, took a full time job with Wieboldts--another department store in the same area, where she continued to work until they moved back to Missouri. There, she worked for Montgomery Ward for about three years. She was a clerk, and worked in the men's departments and drapery departments.
Opal was very happy in Missouri, renewing relationships with her old friends and cousins. She and Myrl had a big old house in Brashear that they were renovating, and a big yard and garden. It was difficult to give up when they moved to Arizona, but once settled, she liked it there, too. Several of their friends from Missouri also moved to Arizona, and settled in the same mobile home park. They had quite an active social life. There was a pot luck and card game somewhere almost every week. Opal liked learning of the Indian history and culture, and attending the periodic Indian celebrations. She also liked traveling around the state and seeing all the new sights in the deserts, canyons, and mountains. She loved the birds and desert wildlife.
After moving to Denver, Opal and Myrl joined in the social activities at their Senior high rise apartment. They had many new friends-and continued with the potlucks and games. Although they weren't able to travel as much, they did stay active in the church and social group. Being near to Sandra's family, there were many events to join in. There were also cousins in Pueblo, about 100 miles south of Denver, and in Thornton, about 25 miles north. Opal was always a gracious hostess and arranged many "get-togethers".
Opal suffered from a painful, crippling condition called spinal stenosis, which caused a gradual loss of feeling and movement in her extremities. She fell and fractured her hip, which was surgically repaired, but she began to use a wheelchair when out. Eventually, due to the spinal problems, she became unable to stand or even to turn over in bed by herself. She spent her last 18 months in a nursing home. She remained mentally very sharp right until the last few days before her death.
She was a very loving mother and grandmother, and is remembered by her family and friends as a caring, sharing person.
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