Opal Moebes Wilson, 101, of Gurley, Alabama passed away on May 3, 2023. She was born to Lillie Pearl and William A. Elkins on January 27, 1922 in Town Creek, AL.
Opal spent her childhood years in Town Creek, AL. and moved to Morgan County in the eighth grade. She spent her high school years at Austinville High School where she was a star basketball player. Although slated to be the valedictorian of her senior class in 1939 she left school to help support the family because of the depression. She eventually married and spent many years staying at home, raising her children and farming. She later went to business school and spent her working career as a bookkeeper at several businesses in Decatur, Huntsville, and Binghamton, NY. After retiring Opal took up many hobbies. She loved to paint, cook, sew, garden and was an avid reader. She was a member of the Gurley Cumberland Presbyterian church.
Opal lived a long, healthy life and was able to stay at home taking care of herself until this past year. She spent her last months at Harbor Chase Assisted Living where she was loved by the staff and other residents. She was a very strong, independent woman. Even at the end she could still tell colorful stories of her life such as seeing Franklin Delano Roosevelt as a child. She loved to tell people her motto for living a long life: “Do not worry about the past; do not worry about tomorrow; and always live for today.”
Opal was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Wilson; her parents; her brother, J.L. Sanderson; her sister, Dorothy Stewart; and daughter-in-law, Janet Moebes.
She is survived by her children, Jerry Moebes (Penny), Johnny Moebes, Dwight Moebes (Kathleen), Randy Moebes (Kathy), Patricia Knowles (Doug), Debbie Riquelmy (Rick); brother, William E. Elkins (Kathy); seventeen grandchildren and forty-one great-grandchildren. She was a beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and friend.
Arrangements were entrusted to Spry Funeral Home of Huntsville, AL where the family received friends from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, May 6, 2023. Funeral services began at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Toy Brindley officiating. Following the service burial was at Roselawn Cemetery in Decatur, AL. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Gurley Cumberland Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 335, Gurley, AL 35748.
