Opal was born on December 22, 1919, to Lawrence and Elda Ballinger. The oldest of five siblings Opal completed eighth grade and went straight to work at the age of 13.

Opal met George Henry Fryer in 1935. They were married on July 24, 1937. She had 4 children within 4 years. George left for California in search of work in 1943.

In mid-1945 Opal with 4 children, Frances (4), Allan (3), Esther (2) and Berenice (1), they set out across country via train to San Francisco. George had found work at the naval shipyard in Benicia, California. In 1948 the family had settled in Vallejo, California. In 1953 Virginia was born.

Opal had been working at the Benicia shipyard in the food service branch, and worked until she retired in 1961. George was transferred to Fort Ord in Marina, California in 1963 and moved to Salinas, California. George retired in 1976. George died on July 24, 1978, their 42nd anniversary. Opal was preceded in death by her husband George, daughters, Frances Gentry, and Berenice Munn, her siblings, Everett Ballinger, Marion Ballinger, and Irene Kincaid. She also lost her granddaughter, Christena Castaneda. Opal is survived by her brother, Gary Ballinger (Patricia), her children, George Fryer (Carol), Esther Lambert and Virginia Silva (Joe). She is also survived by 10 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and 34 great-great grandchildren, 15 nieces and nephews, 31 grand-nieces and -nephews and 36 great-grand-nieces and – nephews. Opal was a protective, loving, and strong mom, a kindhearted grandma, and a blessed greatgrandma (G.G.). Opal will be remembered as a strong individual with a loving heart and spirit. She will clearly be missed by all those who loved her and by all who knew her.