1928
2018
Mioko Yoshida Oliver
Knoxville, TN
A Mioko Yoshida Oliver, age 89, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 22, 2018. She was born May 8, 1928 to Toshiyuki and Chiyoko Yoshida in Wakamatsu, Japan.
Mioko became a Christian during WWII while attending Joshi Gakuin, in Tokyo.
After the war, she taught Sunday School and formed a children's choir. She also served as a church organist in Ashiya Air Force base chapel and in several other churches.
Prior to coming to the United States, she worked as a secretary in one of the U.S. military occupation offices in Tokyo, where she met her future husband, a Marine fighter pilot, Roy Oliver.
Roy retired from the Marines on December 1, 1963, went stateside and Mioko joined him three weeks later when they were married in Bethesda, Maryland. They then settled in Greenville, Tennessee where she was employed by the Austin Company.
In the late '60's, she was hired as a secretary in the University of Tennessee Division of Agricultural Extension. While there, she worked in several positions, including secretary, senior secretary, and office manager, all in various offices of the UT Agricultural Extension Service. While working she also studied and in 1973 Mioko proudly became a citizen of the United States. During her last 10 years at UT, prior to retirement in the late '90's, she worked as senior secretary and office manager in the Department of Agricultural and Extension Education, where she "trained" numerous professors and students as they joined the department. Mioko was known for her friendly, gentle demeanor and willingness to always help graduate students, regardless of their problems. Mioko loved UT and was proud to be an important part of the University community for nearly 40 years. She remained devoted to UT even after retirement, as a strong follower of UT football and women's basketball. Mioko was also a longtime member of Cokesbury United Methodist Church in Knoxville, and a supporter of the Knoxville Opera Company.
She is survived by brothers, Hiroyuki and Isoo, living in Japan; sister, Chizuyo (Ray)Templeman, in Falls Church, Virginia and many family and friends.
A Celebration of Mioko's Life will be held at Cokesbury United Methodost Church's sanctuary on Sunday, February 11, 2018, at 1:30p.m. The family will welcome friends following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mioko's memory to Cokesbury United Methodist Church, 9919 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37922.
rrangements by Cremation Options, Inc. (865)6WE-CARE (693-2273) www.cremationoptionsinc.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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3 Entries
You were a precious second mother to me. You inspired my life by your gracious manner and independent life, always giving to those around you.
Suzy Oliver
Susan Oliver
June 10, 2018
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Richard Dotson
January 28, 2018
Mioko worked for my father at UT Ag Extension Education for several years. She was always very friendly and kind to the students, faculty, and visitors to the office. Dad thought the world of her. I have thought of her many times over the years and in particular of her kindness to me. May the family be comforted during this time of loss and by the knowledge that she has entered into the rest of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Richard Dotson
January 28, 2018
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