OLDEST APOPKAN DIES AT AGE 110
She remembered Orville Wright's flight.
From The Apopka Chief, 14 May 2004
Editor's note: Opal Conway Neerman, Apopka's oldest living resident, died Tuesday, May 11. She was 110. The following obituary is written as a tribute to her by Gayle Andrews, her niece, and Dr. Elizabeth Baab, a friend.
On Tuesday, May 11, Apopka's oldest known resident, Mrs. Opal Conway Neerman, went home to be with the Lord. Mrs. Neerman was born in Fowler, Indiana, on December 18, 1893. She graduated from Emmerich Training High School on June 12, 1912, and went into library training that resulted in work as a librarian at the Indianapolis, Ind., Public Library. On October 12, 1921, she married Alfred Neerman, and a year later their son and only child, James Conway Neerman, was born.
Opal remembered the excitement generated when Orville Wright took off on his famous flight at Kitty Hawk, N.C., on December 17, 1903, one day before her 10th birthday, and with it launched the birth of aviation.
In 1987, at the age of 93, Opal moved to Apopka to be near her brother, Clarence Conway, and sister, Lucille Parrott, and their families. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Apopka, a librarian, a lifetime member of the Apopka Garden Club's Magnolia Circle, and selected as one of Apopka's Golden Age Treasures in 2002.
She was thrilled to have been asked to participate in the Walt Disney World parade when she was 105 years old, and also in the Apopka Christmas Parade when she was 108 years old. Opal was honored on her 110th birthday to receive an Honorary Alumna from the University of Central Florida, which was presented to her by Dr. Richard D. Tucker and Dr. Elizabeth Baab. In addition, Mayor John H. Land presented her with a proclamation on behalf of the City of Apopka.
She was one of only 45 validated living individuals worldwide to have had the distinction of being listed on the Gerontology Research Group's website as a supercentenarian, those persons 110 years of age and above.
Opal would often be asked how she got to be 110 years old, to which she would reply, "One day at a time." She was a believer in positive thinking and the power of prayer. Her philosophy of life was that your mental attitude determines your happiness and your existence is curtailed by thinking ill of and mistreating others. Her byword was, "With a heart full of gratitude, there is no room for self pity."
She was in demand for interviews, featured on television, and attended gerontology conferences. Dr. Tucker, professor and interim chair of the Department of Psychology at The University of Central Florida, describes his good friend thus: "Ms. Opal was a model of successful aging--and successful living. While she gained much attention for her longevity, it was the quality of those many years that is her legacy. Living a long time, by itself, is notable. But, living a long life and living it so well is what will be remembered. While I didn't have the privilege of knowing Ms. Opal for many of her years, both my personal and professional life has been touched and enriched by her."
She was preceded in death by Alfred, her husband of 38 years, and son James; brothers Cecil, Clarence, Forrest; and sister Lucille Conway Parrott.
She is survived by her daughter-in-law Venetia Neerman, Palm Beach Gardens; 4 granddaughters, Carol Schmidt (James), North Palm Beach, Beth Smith (Todd), Raleigh, N.C., Gail Smith (Herman), Central Bridge, N.Y., and Becky Frammolino, Austin, Texas; 8 great grandchildren, Jason and Jacquelin Schmidt, Erica, Angela, and Lisa Frammolino, and William, Frederick, and Samuel Smith.
Funeral services will be held at First Baptist Church of Apopka, 441 S. Highland Ave., on Saturday, May 15, at 3 p.m., with the Reverend Dr. Allen H. Higginbotham officiating. Visitation is one hour prior to the service in the Sanctuary.
Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery, Apopka. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Baptist Church of Apopka.
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