Opal Fern

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Opal McNail was born Opal Fern Farmer on July 31,1918, in a rural area known as camp creek, on a farm belonging to her maternal grandfather, Nobel Cunningham. This was about seven miles from Patterson, MO. She departed this life at Missouri Baptist Hospital in St. Louis, MO, on February 21, 2010, having attained the age of 91 years, six months and 21 days.

In the spring of 1925, she moved with her parents to St. Louis, MO. At first they lived in south St. Louis and then moved to the Wellston area. In July of 1930, at the age of 12, her father moved the family from St. Louis, MO, to Upper Sinkin Creek in Reynolds County, MO. Opal and her sisters attended a rural school where she graduated from the 8th grade in 1932.

Opal attended Centerville High School for the next three years and at that time quit school and married William Jesse McNail on August 8, 1936 in Ironton, MO. For the next several years, Opal was kept busy raising a family, making a large garden, canning everything edible and working alongside her husband in the log woods and the family operated sawmill. When marketing timber became scarce, Opal on a couple of different occasions, tried opening small restaurants in Centerville but something always came up that made continuing the restaurant impossible.

In 1953, Opal enrolled in Centerville High School, rode the school bus along with her four children and other students, to finish the 12th grade. In May, 1954, the night her son Johnny received his grade school diploma, Opal was sitting on the same stage receiving her high school diploma.

In 1955, Opal went to work in a restaurant owned by Emma Hasty. In January 1956, she went to work for Lewis Myers as Deputy County Clerk until September 20, 1956, when she went to work for the Division of Family Services in Centerville as a Stenographer. She later transferred to Farmington, MO, and became a caseworker. She retired from the Division of Family Services on May 31, 1983. From 1970 to 1980, she also held a second job, managing a 50 pad trailer park just outside Farmington.
At this time she moved back to Centerville, MO. Opal was always active by volunteering for several offices: Treasurer for Lion's Club; Treasurer for Reynolds County Ambulance District; President of Centerville ALumni and Treasurer of the Rural Centerville Fire Department. She then ran for office of Public Administrator of Reynolds County, winning that position and taking oath of office on January 1, 1992 and serving for 12 years, retiring December 31, 2004, at the age of 86 1/2.

During her working years, Opal also belonged to Eastern Star, Chapter 234, where she had the honor of serving as Worthy Matron of the Chapter from December 4, 1982, through December 1983. She also belonged to Samaritan Shrine Chapter 24 and served as Worthy Priestess from 1983 through 1984. Note that during the years of 1983-1984, she served the high office in both organizations which was a tremendous amount of memory work. Opal is proud of still belonging to both organizations who help many people who would not be helped otherwise. Opal's memory was still great , although she said she was operating on "slow".

Opal was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a daughter, Beverly Cook, one sister, Ethel Albert, one granddaughter, Belva Machelle McNail and three son's -in-law, Bert Roberts, John Cook and Arvel Morton.

Opal is survived by two sons, Johnny McNail and wife Mary Lou of Centerville, MO, Jesse NcNail and wife Belva of Bismarck, MO, two daughters, Joyce Morton of Lesterville, MO, JoAnn Roberts of Hillsboro, MO, seven grandchildren, Christina, Johnna, Nancy, John Kenneth, Mason, Charles and Chad, 14 great-grandchildren, and one sister, Thelma Barnes of Annapolis, MO. Opal will be deeply missed by a host of relatives and many friends who will mourn her passing.

Visitation: Wed., February 24th
5 to 8
P.M.

Funeral Services: Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 11:00 A.M. McSpadden Funeral Home, Ellington, MO

Minister: Pastor, Larry Usher

Burial: Pleasant Hill Cemetery

Pallbearers: Johnny McNail, Jesse McNail, Charles Roberts, Chad Roberts, John Cook, Mason McNail and John Jenkerson.

Arrangements by McSpadden Funeral Homes, Inc. Ellington, Missouri