[LETTERHEAD OF WITT, GAITHER & WHITAKER, P.C.]

                                   May 2, 2002

Board of Directors
The Dixie Group, Inc.
345-B Nowlin Lane
Chattanooga, TN 37421

Gentlemen:

You have requested our opinion concerning certain matters in connection with the
Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") to be filed by
The Dixie Group, Inc. (the "Company") with the Securities and Exchange
Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"),
relating to the offer and sale by the Company of up to 436,500 additional shares
of the Company's Common Stock, $3.00 par value per share ("Common Stock") to
certain employees under the Company's 2000 Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan").

In connection with the following opinions, we have examined and have relied upon
such documents, records, certificates, statements and instruments as we have
deemed necessary and appropriate to render the opinions herein set forth. In
such examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the
authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity
with the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies.

Based upon and subject to the foregoing, it is our opinion that:

1.   The Company is duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of the
     State of Tennessee.

2.   The adoption of the Plan previously was duly authorized and approved by the
     Company's Board of Directors and by its shareholders.

3.   The reservation of up to 436,500 additional shares of the Company's Common
     Stock for issuance in accordance with the Plan, and the issuance of such
     shares of Common Stock



Board of Directors
The Dixie Group, Inc.
May 2, 2002
Page 2


     to employees who receive equity awards under the Plan in accordance with
     its terms, have been duly authorized and approved by the Company's Board of
     Directors and by the Company's shareholders.

4.   The issuance of up to 436,500 additional shares of Common Stock which are
     the subject of the Registration Statement to employees who receive equity
     awards under the Plan in accordance with its terms, will result in such
     shares being duly authorized, legally and validly issued, fully paid and
     non-assessable shares of the Company's Common Stock.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to this firm under the caption
"Legal Opinions" in the Prospectus to be delivered to Plan participants pursuant
to the Registration Statement.

                                           WITT, GAITHER & WHITAKER, P.C.


                                              /s/ Steven R. Barrett
                                           --------------------------------
                                           By:  Steven R. Barrett