Opal M Henderson

Opal Mae (McCullough) Henderson, age 83, of Neosho Falls, passed away surrounded by her family on Monday, January 16, 2017 at Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center, Chanute, Kansas following a 16 month battle with pancreatic cancer. She was the fourth of five children born to Alexander and Neva (Stephens) McCullough. Opal was born December 2, 1933 on a farm west of Neosho Falls known fondly as “The Old Home Place.” Opal’s father died suddenly in 1936 when she was only three years old. Her mother later remarried and she was blessed with two more siblings, Kenneth Saferite and Ruth Ann Saferite. She grew up in Neosho Falls and graduated from Neosho Falls High School in 1951. While in High School, Opal had great aspirations for attending college to become a Child Psychologist, however since the loss of her father so young, she was not able to obtain the money for college. Every summer during high school, she traveled by train to California where she worked in a drug store soda fountain in Carmel. She served soda and ice cream sundaes to famous actresses and actors. Over the years, Opal told many stories about her experiences and the people she met who became lifelong friends. Following graduation, Opal moved to Topeka, Kansas to work at Capper Publications. Unfortunately, the devastating flood in July, 1951 nearly destroyed Neosho Falls, so she returned “home” to help family members try and recover from losing their possessions, homes and businesses. Later that year, she returned to Topeka and worked at Security Benefit until she left to get married. On May 3, 1953 she married Clarence (Junior) Henderson in the Neosho Falls Methodist Church. Opal remained a member of the Methodist Church until her death. She stated many times that she would not have gotten through some of the many trials and tribulations of this life without her faith and the love of family. Even as her illness progressed and the chemotherapy stopped, she remained strong in her faith. On August 30, 1957, her only child, Terry was born. Opal loved being a mother and was very proud of Terry’s career and accomplishments. In 1980, together, they wrote the history of Neosho Falls. They had it published and it was then purchased by libraries, schools, and many who were born or raised there. Opal worked in the insurance business for many years and held second jobs as a bookkeeper and a clerk in a jewelry store. She was also active in the Democratic Party and served on numerous boards. Opal was also active in Eastern Star for many years. After retirement, she raised herbs and developed her own seasoning which she marketed with “The Land of Kansas.” She created a ceramic piece with the pattern of a flower which was used to make a flower design on the top pie crust. Opal and Clarence raised and sold pecans for over 50 years. For a few years after retirement, they attended many local Farmer’s Markets selling vegetables and fruit they raised. Opal had many interests including dancing, buying and selling antiques, studying history, nature and psychology and many other subjects too numerous to mention. Her favorite pastime however, was spending time with her family. Opal was preceded in death by her grandparents, parents, two brothers and three sisters; Alexander “Junior” McCullough, Pauline Bell, Betty Weiland, William “Bill” McCullough, and Ruth Ann George. Also preceding her in death were two brothers-in-law and three sisters-in-law. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Clarence (“Junior”) of the home and her son Terry of Kansas City; a brother, Kenneth Saferite of Wichita, Kansas, brother in-law, Lyle George of Parsons, Kansas, several nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and a host of friends. The family will greet friends from 5:00-7:00 PM, Friday, January 20, 2017 at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service in Iola, Kansas. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, January 21, 2017 at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and may be left with the funeral home. Condolences may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com