Irva Lillian Newcomb "Miss Pete" Opher

GLEN BURNIE - Irva Lillian "Miss Pete" Opher passed away on Tuesday, April 24, 2007, at 9:20 a.m.

She was born July 1, 1922, in Bridgeville, Del., the daughter of the late Rev. Samuel and Irna Cephas Newcomb.

She received her education in the public schools of Bridgeville. Early in life Mrs. Opher was affiliated with True Vines Holiness Church under the pastorate of the late Elder Sabb. Elder Sabb, a Native American Indian, raised Irva as her own.

Mrs. Opher married Carvis William Opher on Dec. 24, 1953. He preceded her in death. She was employed by Rob Roy and Airpax Electronics in Cambridge.

She was a member of Kingdom Church and Ministries, pastored by Elder Carlton Brisco. Mrs. Opher was a member of Mount Olive Baptist Church under Pastor John English for over 40 years. She was also one of the original Shining Lights. She had been affiliated with The National Church of God under the late Elder Jeremiah Cox and Pentecostal Temple Church, pastored by Elder Sam Brisco.

She did cooking for the sick and shut in, visited nursing homes and provided shelter for those who were in need. She enjoyed sewing, knitting, crocheting, making quilts, playing the organ late at night and making booties for her favorite friends.

Mrs. Opher is survived by a daughter, Rosalee Fletcher Camper and son in-law, Eugene Camper of Millersville; a son, Tyrone Nichols and daughter in-law, Gertie Nichols of Houston, Texas; three aunts, Victoria Jones of Williamsburg, Flossie and Amanda Conway both of Hurlock; an uncle, Joseph Jones of Williamsburg; six grandchildren, Jamilah Fletcher, Jahaziel Perez, RaeQwon Fletcher, Angela Land, Patrick Crayton and Tosha Nichols; six great-grandchildren, Jalanda and Jabril Kellogg, Jawana and Jabria Copes and Davon and Ayanna Wilson; special daughters, Yolanda Payne Parker, Shawn Green and Ann Askins; three special friends, Addie Cromwell, Tina and Georgia Dixon; she cared for the following children, Sandy Killette, Danielle Brown, Ashley Cephas, Amy and Irene Askins, Stephanie and Chanelle Lake, Ernest Payne III, Jamal Pinder, Theresa McNamara, Wade Fletcher, Toni Majors, Wayne and Emily Dupree, and a number of others too numerous to mention.

Mrs. Opher operated her day care until the age of 79 and then she assisted with children at CCC and in the public school system.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, at Souls Harbor Church of God, 718 Peachblossom Ave., Cambridge. Burial will be held 10 a.m. Monday, at the Eastern Shore Veterans" Cemetery at Beulah.

There will be a viewing Friday from 6-8 p.m. at Henry Funeral Home, PA, 510 Washington St., Cambridge.

Memorial contributions can be made to Hospice of Chesapeake, 445 Defense Highway, Annapolis, MD 21401.