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There’s a time for everything.

But, there just doesn’t seem to be a right time for the closing of Wilma’s Beauty Salon on South Brundidge Street in Troy.

Wilma Mullis opened the beauty salon during the days of bobby pins and finger waves and, almost overnight, “Wilma’s” was the place of choice for women near and far.

Wilma Mullis was a woman of deep faith and shared it with the “girls” who worked in the salon.

“There was no gossiping at Wilma’s,” said Jo Leverette, who worked with Wilma for 43 years.

“No matter what you were feeling about yourself, Wilma could make you feel better. She was a wonderful employer and friend. She was fair and she treated everybody the same. She made no difference in any of us.”

The legacy of Wilma Mullis continues today through her daughter, Penny Mullis Dees, and Jo Leverett.

On Friday, April 5, 2024, Penny Dees closed the door of Wilma’s Beauty Salon for the last time.   She will begin working at another salon in town. Jo Leverett will go home with memories for a lifetime.

The closing of Wilma’s, the iconic Troy beauty salon, was a rather difficult decision for Dees.

“I was raised at Wilma’s, by Wilma,” she said, with a smile. “This place is all I’ve known. I was raised at this salon; I raised a son and grandchild here. So, sure, it is a special place.

“However, now it’s just Jo and me here and this is a big place. I wanted to continue to work but there’s more to owning a beauty salon than working at one. Owing a salon is very time consuming and demanding.”

Just what is next for Wilma’s Beauty Salon. “I don’t know and I have time to decide.”

Dees and Leverett said they will miss the family of women with whom they have shared their lives for seemingly a “wonderfully” long time.

The legacy of Wilma Mullis and her beauty salon is to “be beautiful on the inside and you will be beautiful on the outside.”