Opie’s mother, Mary, died from an illness when Opie was just a baby.
In the context of the television show “The Andy Griffith Show,” Opie Taylor is the son of Sheriff Andy Taylor. Opie’s mother is referenced in the series but is not an active character, as she had passed away before the events of the show. The cause of her death is not explicitly stated in the series, but it is implied that she died of natural causes when Opie was very young. This left Andy to raise Opie on his own, with the help of his Aunt Bee, who came to live with them and take care of the household. The absence of Opie’s mother is a subtle backdrop to the show, highlighting the strong bond between father and son and the close-knit community of Mayberry that supports them.