Opal Mae Medlen Meyer

Opal Mae Medlen Meyer, 92, of California, Mo., passed away on Saturday, April 3, 2021, at her home. She was born on April 16, 1928, near High Point, Mo., the daughter of Charles Thomas and Hettie Jane Pennington Medlen, who preceded her in death. Opal Mae attended the old High Point School and later graduated eighth grade from Hale School. Her first two years of high school were at Olean High School. Olean discontinued bus service to the High Point area. She then attended her junior and senior years of high school in California, Mo., graduating as Salutatorian of her class in 1946. Education was very important to Opal Mae. After graduating high school, Opal moved to Jefferson City, Mo. where she stayed in a boarding house. Her roommate, Irene Gibler, also preceded her in death. Opal worked as a telephone operator in the State Capitol building. On September 1, 1947, Opal married the love of her life, Charles William Meyer. Charles returned from the Navy to the farm his parents had purchased near High Point. This farm bordered the Medlen farm. It is said that Grandma Hettie made Opal take iced tea and pie to Charles and his brother Leo as they worked in the fields near them. Charles and Leo also came to the Medlen house to play cards with Opal Mae's brothers. The real romance started when Charles tagged along with his brother to take Leo's wife Glenda to Jefferson City to meet a train. They then went to the boarding house and invited Opal to have soda in a drug store across the street. The following week, Charles called on Opal Mae at the boarding house. She remembered that he was quite handsome in his teal suit and sharp hat and dress shoes, the rest is history. Opal Mae enjoyed many types of sewing. Just a couple of months ago, she was still sewing together baby quilts, aprons and mending jeans for all the guys in the family. She made wedding dresses and many bridesmaid dresses, all of the daughter's prom dresses, and always made easter dresses for the daughters. Opal was also known as a superb cook. Up until this last year, she still invited her grandsons to have lunch with her. She always fixed their favorites, fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, rolls and cherry pie. She always cooked far more than we could eat. Charles used to tell her she should set up a roadside stand and sell her leftovers. Opal was also a talented painter, having taken lessons with Aunt Lauraine Medlen, Mrs. Lucy Papen and Mrs. Jessie Atkinson. These ladies took lessons from Beryl White. Opal loved working in her yard and with her flowers. Just three days before her death she told the nurse that she wanted to get out and plant some flowers, andnd six days before her death she was feeding baby Grayson bite after bite of ice cream. She really didn't have much down time, for which we are very grateful. We are thankful that we were able to keep her at home. Opal really missed attending church during the pandemic. She spoke often of how much she missed being there. Her son would always get her a church bulletin, which helped her keep up with what was going on but that just wasn't the same. Now we like to think of her in Heaven planting flowers and cooking for anyone that might be hungry. Give all our loved ones a big hug for us Mama. We will always love you!!! Opal Mae was the seventh of eight children. Her brothers were: Clyde Medlen, Ray Medlen, Carl Medlen and Jimmy Medlen, and her sisters were Mary Medlen Shoemaker, Gertrude Medlen Lehr and Elanine Medlen Kneisley. All of her siblings preceded her in death, with Uncle Carl giving his life in World War II. She once said "It is a very sad thing to be the only one left in your family". Charles and Opal Mae had six children, four of which reached adulthood. They are Mary Sue (Suzy) Allee, California, Mo.; Kathy Meyer, St. Louis; Wayne Meyer, California; and Lynne Fulks (Rodney), High Point. There are seven surviving grandchildren: Craig Allee (Tammy), High Point; Lisa Allee (Kenny Higgins), California; Kyle Fulks (Raychel), Seth Fulks (Aleah), Curtis Fulks (Taylor), all of High Point; Lily Murphy, St. Louis and Jessie Mae Murphy, St. Louis. There are seven great-grandchildren: Adam Allee (Cassy); Christopher Allee (Kendra), Randy Allee, Kaiden Fulks, Everett Fulks, Grayson Fulks, Rylan Mae Fulks, all of High Point and baby girl Fulks expected in August. She is also survived by great-great-granddaughter, Jacklyn Allee. Opal loved visits from all of her family. She especially enjoyed the little ones. She loved all of her large family very much and we all loved her right back. Opal Mae was preceded in death by infant daughter, Glenda Marie Meyer in 1948; infant son, James Charles Meyer in 1951; grandson, Randy Paul Allee in 1994; and son-in-law, Paul Allee in 2020. Mass of Christian Burial was held Tuesday, April 6, 2021, at the Annunciation Catholic Church in California, Mo., with Father Tony Rinaldo officiating. Burial was in the Annunciation Catholic Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Annunciation Catholic Church or High Point Cemetery, c/o the funeral home. Arrangements were under the direction of Bowlin-Cantriel Funeral Services, California, Mo.