CDR (Ret.) Opal Marie Lawrence, 90, passed away Thursday, February 7, 2013 at Johnson-Mathers Nursing Home.

She was born October 19, 1922 in Nicholas County to the late Jesse & Nellie Crawford Lawrence. Marie led a distinguished career as a registered nurse in the United States Navy and was a decorated Vietnam veteran. After her retirement, she was a dedicated volunteer with the Johnson-Mathers Hospital Auxiliary, a member of the Red Hatters Society and the Nicholas County Homemakers, as well as being a member of the Carlisle Christian Church.

She is survived by a niece, Kay Earlywine, of Carlisle, 3 nephews, James Preston (Joy) Lawrence, Jr. & Donald Joe (Sharon) Lawrence, both of Dayton, Ohio, and Billy Reese "Hammer" (Karla) Allison, II, of Mt. Olivet, 13 great-nieces and nephews and several great-great nieces and nephews.

She was also preceded in death by a brother, James Preston Lawrence, and 2 sisters, Mary Katherine Allison and Alice June Lawrence.

Services will be 11:00 A.M. Monday, February 11, 2013 at Mathers-Gaunce Funeral Home by Rev. Steve Smith. Burial with military honors will  follow in the Carlisle Cemetery.

Visitation will be after 6:00 P.M. Sunday.

Memorial contributions suggested to Carlisle Christian Church, 242 N. Locust Street, Carlisle, Kentucky 40311 or the Patrick Brannon Memorial Dog Park, c/o Kentucky Bank, P.O. Box 157, Paris, Kentucky 40361.