Opal M. Roether

Opal M. Copenbarger Roether, beloved by all who were fortunate enough to have entered her life, died at the age of 98 on October 29, 2011. She died at the place of her choosing, at her home in Plano, Texas. There is little doubt that even her treasured native birds, whom her caregivers fed for Opal’s enjoyment, and her beautiful garden roses, especially the pink ones, hung their heads in grief.

Opal was born in Geary, Oklahoma on December 2, 1912, the eighth child to be born to Blaine and Canadian County (Oklahoma) pioneers, Henry Carlin and Anna Long Copenbarger. From her parents she received the lessons of life-long learning and of giving to others less fortunate. As a small child Opal received a doll as a gift and her parents requested she give her doll to the less fortunate little girl down the road. Thus began a life of giving back as well as a love of collecting dolls, particularly Victorian costumed, during much of her adult life.

She attended the Geary and Enterprise school districts, graduating from Geary High School in 1929. She attended her first two years of college at Oklahoma A&M, now Oklahoma State, and received her degree in Secondary Education from the University of Central Oklahoma in 1939. She also earned a Master of Arts degree from Eastern New Mexico University as well as a Reading Specialist degree from New Mexico State University. Opal began her 40 year teaching career in a one room schoolhouse in Canadian County, Oklahoma. She taught for many years in districts in and around Watonga, Oklahoma. In 1955 Opal and her family moved to Hobbs, New Mexico where she taught Remedial and Advanced Reading at Hobbs High School. Her teaching career in Hobbs spanned 27 years, during which time Opal had enormous positive impact upon thousands of young lives. The Opal M. Roether Scholarship in Education was established to enable worthy students to become the kind of teacher who would impact young lives as she had.

She was a 4-H club leader in both Oklahoma and New Mexico, a charter member of Highland Christian Church in Hobbs, New Mexico, a past president of the New Mexico chapter of the International Reading Association, and is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star in Hobbs, New Mexico. After her retirement she moved to Plano, Texas to be closer to family. She was a costumed docent at the Heritage Farmstead Museum for over 10 years. Family and friends celebrated Opal’s 90th birthday at the Farmstead in 2002. Of special interest to Opal was the one room schoolhouse at the Farmstead, so much so that she requested her birthday money be donated to the Farmstead to purchase period lighting for the schoolhouse.

On December 25, 1932 she married Lamar John Roether at the home of her sister and brother-in-law, Gladys and Jack Corey, in Geary, Oklahoma. To this union one son and three daughters were born. Mr. Roether died in Hobbs, New Mexico in 1974.

She considered her proudest accomplishments to be her four children with their values and the positive impact they have had in shaping the lives of their children and grandchildren; her role in support of her country by working at Douglas Aircraft during World War II; her presidency of Canadian County (Oklahoma) Teachers Association; and the positive impact she had on students and her pride in their future accomplishments, as many who she taught were initially evaluated as low performers.

She is survived by her son Phillip and wife Betty of Pottsboro, Texas and her three daughters, Marilyn Constien and husband Elmer of Rockwall, Texas, Ann Pearce and husband Mike of Littleton, Colorado, and Diane Roether of Gainesville, Texas, nine grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and countless friends and former students.

The Ted Dickey Funeral Home in Plano, TX is in charge of services, with visitation for family and friends from 7 to 9 PM on Friday, November 4, 2011 at the funeral home. Graveside visitation will be at 1 PM Sunday, November 6 in Geary, Oklahoma. Graveside services and internment are at 2:00 PM at the Geary Cemetery. Pastor Richard Mayerhoff will officiate. Honorary pallbearers will be grandsons.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Opal’s name to: The Grayson County College Foundation(the Opal M. Roether Scholarship in Education), 6101 Grayson Drive, Denison, TX 75020 or to the Heritage Farmstead Museum, 1900 West 15th Street, Plano, TX 75075.

Arrangements under the direction of Ted Dickey Funeral Home, Plano, TX.