Mary Oliver

Mary Frances Smith Oliver, 81, left this life on September 9, 2012, after a long illness. A celebration of her life will be held on Friday, September 14 at 10:00a.m. at Brannen-Kennedy Funeral Home, 206 N. Downing Musgrove Highway, Glennville. Rev. Richard Barnard will officiate. The family will greet friends at the funeral home immediately following the service.

Mary Frances was born on June 30, 1931, in Claxton, Georgia, to the late Bert and Estelle Purcell Smith. She had one brother, Hoke Smith, and two sisters, Lanie S. Stanley and Mariodean S. Smith, all of whom preceded her in death. She was also predeceased by her husband of 52 years, Clinton Paul Oliver, Sr., son Clinton Paul Oliver, Jr., granddaughter Rebecca Link, and grandson Clay Oliver. Surviving her are daughter-in-law Lisa Oliver of Claxton, daughter Francine (Paul) Doupé of Sherman Oaks, CA, son Bert (Jan) Oliver of Glennville, son David Oliver of Glennville, daughter Julie (Steve) Link of Carmel, IN, son Hamp Oliver of Claxton, daughter Mary Ruth (Chuck) Ray of Glennville, fifteen grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Mary Frances was a graduate of Claxton High School and Georgia Teachers College, now Georgia Southern University. She served in the Tattnall County school system for many years as a teacher of biology and physical science. In addition to being a dedicated educator, she was an avid reader and genealogist. She also enjoyed sewing, gardening, and cooking. Mary Frances and her husband Clinton were longtime members of First Baptist Church of Glennville.

In lieu of flowers, the family would welcome contributions to the Mary Frances Oliver Scholarship Fund of Agnes Scott College (agnesscott.edu or Agnes Scott College, 141 E. College Avenue, Decatur, GA 30030), or to New Beginnings in Christ (nbicrecovery.com PO Box 192, Garfield, GA 30425).

Arrangements for Mrs. Oliver have been entrusted to Brannen-Kennedy Funeral Home of Glennville, 206 N. Downing Musgrove Highway, Glennville, Georgia .912-654-2060.