Opal Dotson Wicker, 88 of Mooresville, died Thursday, April 1, 2010, at Lake Norman Regional Medical Center after a long period of declining health and a brief illness. Visitation is planned Monday, with services Tuesday. Details below.

Opal was born on Sept. 19, 1921, in Ellijay, Ga., the daughter of the late Nancy Sanford Dotson and Thomas Dotson. Her siblings Otis Dotson, Gladys Dotson Davenport and an infant brother preceded her in death.

Her three husbands also preceded her in death: Ed Broadrick, M.A. “Mac” Wicker and John Knupp.

Survivors include her daughter, Ann Wicker and son-in-law Mark Williams, sister Ruby Dotson Davenport, brother Ira “Dot” Dotson, several nephews and nieces and her extended family, Bill Powell and Bruce Polkowsky, the Campbells and the Evans. She also leaves behind many friends who will certainly remember “Miss Opal” fondly.

Opal was a beautician for over 50 years, first in Greensboro, where she also went to beauty school, and from about 1951 until 1993 in Mooresville. She was also “on call” for many years for Cavin Funeral Home, where she did hair and makeup.

In the mid-1990s after a back injury ended her first career, she worked at Burger King as a greeter. Opal was an excellent traditional Southern cook, known especially for her cheese straws and pound cake.

A devoted gardener, Opal possessed an unbeatable green thumb. She loved music and liked to dance. She was a longtime member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Mooresville.

The family would like to thank Dr. Ron Beamon, Wendy, Sharon and the rest of the staff at the Davidson Clinic for their care and support of Opal through the years. Also, we are deeply grateful to all the staff at Summit Place of Mooresville, especially the folks in the Seasons unit, who went above and beyond in making her last years more pleasant.

Visitation will be held on Monday, April 5, from 7-9 p.m. at Cavin-Cook Funeral Home in Mooresville where a memorial service will be held the following day, Tuesday, April 6 at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to E.H. Little Library, Davidson College, PO Box 7200, Davidson, NC 28037 or the Paralyzed Veterans of America, 801 Eighteenth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006.

Cavin-Cook Funeral Home is serving the Wicker family.