Opal A. McDorman

Opal "Abby" Avanelle Botkin McDorman, 90, passed away surrounded by her family on Sunday, May 11, 2025, at Brookdale Senior Living in Staunton.

She was born on July 27, 1934, in the Clinchport community of Scott County, Virginia, to the late Woodrow William and Mary Mae Armstrong Botkin and was the last surviving member of her immediate family.

She was a 1951 graduate of Wilson Memorial High School in Fishersville.

Opal was known for her strong work ethic, serving as an assembly line worker at GE/Genicom.

Faith was at the forefront of her life. She was a devoted member of the First Church of God for sixty years where she served in many capacities and found a strong sense of community within her church family.

Opal was a woman of adventure and enthusiasm. In her younger years, she embraced the thrill of life as a six-time skydiver with the Shen Valley Skydivers, a group operated by her late husband and his friend, Buddy, for many years. Her passion for travel on bus trips and other trips with her family took her to various destinations, allowing her to create lasting memories along the way.

Beyond the skies, she found joy in the great outdoors. She was an avid camper and enjoyed riding dirt bikes. Opal had an eye for treasures, often visiting yard sales and enjoying the weekend adventures of the Route 11 crawl.

She is survived by her son, Danny Ray McDorman and his wife, Sylvia; her grandson, Steven Ray McDorman; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Wilmer Ray McDorman; her son, Steven Brent McDorman; her daughter, Darla Dale McDorman; her brother, Clarence Leon Botkin; her brother, Melvin “Bobby” Hoover Armstrong; her sisters, Genevieve Reed Armstrong Fennel and Juanita Armstong Dunlap.

A memorial service will be held at 6:30 PM on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at the First Church of God in Staunton with Reverend Sylvia McDorman officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Church of God’s Building Fund (1850 Shutterlee Mill Road, Staunton, VA 24401).

The family would like to especially thank the doctors, nurses, and staff of Augusta Health Hospice of the Shenandoah and Brookdale Senior Living of Staunton.