Walking On -- Opal M. Davidson

Opal Davidson

April 19, 1915 – Dec. 27, 2017

Opal Davidson, a lifelong resident of Grand Ronde, walked on Dec. 27, 2017, at the age of 102.

She was born April 19, 1915, in Grand Ronde, Ore., to Harry and Pearl (Hudson) Mercier. She graduated from Taft High School in 1933 and attended beauty school in 1933 at Chemawa Indian School. She then became the first hairdresser and beauty salon owner in Nelscott, Ore., on the coast. Later, Opal would work in a beauty salon in McMinnville.

She met her husband, Loran “Dave” Davidson, when she and he were living at her aunt’s boarding house. They married in 1946 and had five children: Gene, Harry, Loran Jr., Terri and April. Loran died in 1986.

Opal loved to sew, crochet and especially cook for her family, and she loved her caregivers very much. The family knows that she would want to give special thanks to Carmen Parren for all she did for her.

She is survived by her children, 13 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by three grandchildren: Chris Wood and Janesse and Lucien Davidson.

A visitation was held on Thursday, Jan. 4, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Grand Ronde and was followed by a rosary service and funeral service.

Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center cared for the family. To share an online condolence, go to www.dallastribute.com.