Opal Wilkerson, 88, owner of Herman's Restaurant and Miss Royale Dress Shop, died on Tuesday, May 11, 2004, at her residence. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Friday, May 14, 2004, at the Nalley-Pickle & Welch Rosewood Chapel with Rev. R. T. Havener, pastor of the First Assembly of God Church, officiating, assisted by Rev. Johnny Cartrite of DeSoto. Interment will follow at Trinity Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM Thursday at the funeral home.She was born July 31, 1915, in Vernon, Texas and married Herman L. Wilkerson on October 10, 1931, in Big Spring. He preceded her in death on February 29, 1984.In 1938, she and Herman began Wilkerson Trucking Company and were primarily engaged in hauling cattle for 22 years. In 1960, they opened their first restaurant which was located on Main Street next to the old First National Bank building. In 1978, they opened Herman's Restaurant at 1601 Gregg. Opal retired in 1995, but Herman's is still operated by her son, Homer and daughter-in-law, Stina.Opal bought the Miss Royale Dress Shop in 1969 and her daughter, Evelyn and son-in-law, Everett Bender, operate it.A member of the First Assembly of God Church, she was very active in her church, teaching the high school class and later the adult class. Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Homer and Stina Wilkerson; her daughter and son-in-law, Evelyn and Everett Bender; her grandson and his wife, Hardy and Stefanie Wilkerson; two great grandsons, Heath Wilkerson and Jared Wilkerson all of Big Spring; and numerous nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind her closest friend and sister-in-law, Opal Mealer, along with a loving, caring family of in-laws. She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Mary Lou on November 18, 1937; three sisters, Delphia Simpson in 1968, Vera Scott in 1974 and Jewel Briggs in 1978 and one brother, Austin Clark in 1989. Pallbearers will be Gerald Cox, Burl Dennis, Dale Young, Marvin Watson, Ismael Munoz and Grover Cleveland. Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Phipps, Clinton Harrison and Buddy Andrews.The family suggests memorials be sent to the Dora Roberts Rehabilitation Center, 306 W. 3rd Street, Big Spring, Texas 79720, or to First Assembly of God Church, 4th and Lancaster, Big Spring, Texas 79720.Arrangements under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Big Spring. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com,
