- Opal Wilcox Barron
-
Opal Wilcox Barron Born September 19, 1914[1]
Boyer, West Virginia, U.S.Died September 11, 2010 (aged 95)[1]
Greenville, South Carolina, U.S.[1]Nationality United States Known for First Lady of West Virginia, 1961-1965 Spouse William Wallace Barron Opal Wilcox Barron (September 19, 1914 – September 11, 2010)[1] was First Lady of West Virginia from 1961 to 1965. She was born in Boyer, West Virginia.
She married William Wallace Barron on February 15, 1936 in Amherst, Virginia.[2] William Barron held several offices in state government before finally serving as Governor of West Virginia from 1961-65, during which time Opal Barron served as First Lady, promoting the state's centennial celebration and persuading her husband to initiate a campaign to conserve the forests and beautify the state.[citation needed]
In 1962, in the heat of the Cold War, she appeared on television to inform West Virginians how to equip and supply a fallout shelter. The entire family also participated in the Sabin vaccine program to prevent polio. After leaving office, Opal and William lived in Pompano Beach, Florida and Charlotte, North Carolina.[3]
Following her husband's death, she lived in Greenville, South Carolina, where she died on September 11, 2010, shortly before her 96th birthday, following a period of declining health.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e "Former W.Va. first lady Opal Barron dies, 95". Charleston Gazette. September 11, 2010. Archived from the original on September 11, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/5sgBOVn9Y. Retrieved September 11, 2010.
- ^ "Re: Opal Wilcox Barron". Genealogy.com. http://genforum.genealogy.com/wv/randolph/messages/256.html. Retrieved September 11, 2001.
- ^ "West Virginia's First Ladies", West Virginia Division of Culture and History (June 2007)
Honorary titles Preceded by
Hovah Hall UnderwoodFirst Lady of West Virginia
1961 – 1965Succeeded by
Mary Alice Tieche SmithCategories:- 1914 births
- 2010 deaths
- People from Pocahontas County, West Virginia
- First Ladies of West Virginia
- People from Greenville, South Carolina
- Disease-related deaths in South Carolina
- American politics biographical stubs
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.