Opal Helen Smith

Opal Helen Smith, 81, Nevada, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2008, at Barone Alzheimer's Care Center, Nevada, following a lengthy illness. She was born Feb. 17, 1926, in Montevallo, Mo., to Loyd James Shafer and Bertha Ellen Richey Shafer. She married Elza Smith on Oct. 19, 1946, in El Dorado, Kan., and he survives of the home.

Opal was raised in the Nevada area. She went to school in Milo and Bronaugh. Opal worked at the Nevada State Hospital for seven years until her retirement in 1988.

Survivors in addition to her husband Elza include, two sons, Gary Smith and his wife Ida, Lamar, Mo., and Loyd Smith, Joplin, Mo.; two daughters, Dorothy Mundy and her husband Al, Sheldon and Rosalyn Beard, Nevada; nine grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Glen Shafer, Kansas City, Mo., Wayne Shafer, Oklahoma City, Okla., Denzel Shafer Oklahoma City, Okla.; two sisters, Ingaby Kelly, Wichita, Kan., and Jessie Rose, Augusta, Kan. and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Joe Shafer, and one sister, Frances Farthing.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Monday, Jan. 21, at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada. Interment will follow in Moore Cemetery, Nevada. Friends may call now and until the hour of service and the family receives friends 6-7 p.m., Sunday evening, Jan. 20, at the funeral home.

You may view obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com