Julia Durham Oliver

1918 - 2016

OLIVER, Julia Durham Julia Durham Oliver, 97, died on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016. She was born on Sept. 30, 1918, in Atlanta. The daughter of Alexander Franklin Durham and Helen McWhorter Durham, she grew up in Woodville, Ga. A former public school teacher in Clayton County, she taught Sunday School for more than 40 years. Mrs. Oliver graduated from South Georgia College in Douglas in 1938 and later took additional education courses at the University of Georgia. Mrs. Oliver was preceded in death by her husband of 31 years, E.W. Oliver Jr., a son Dr. Frank Elery Oliver and son-in-law Peter E. Williams. She is survived by her two daughters and son-in-law, Beth Schwartz (Gary), of St. Simons Island, Ga.; Judi Williams of Madison, Ga; a son, Thomas McWhorter Oliver and daughter-in-law (Melissa), of Tybee Island, Ga. and daughter-in-law: Margaret of Anderson, S.C.; six grandchildren, Dean and Stewart Williams, Elizabeth Wilson, Kenton Oliver, Joseph and Julia Oliver; and seven great-grandchildren. Mrs. Oliver's passion was teaching. She taught elementary school in Woodville, before moving to the Atlanta area where she taught third grade for years at North Clayton Elementary and G.W. Northcutt Elementary in Clayton County. Mrs. Oliver taught Sunday School at St. James United Methodist on Peachtree Dunwoody for 29 years. A memorial service will be held Saturday, Jan. 16, at, 12:30 pm at St. James. The family will receive friends after the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to St. James United Methodist, 4400 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, NE, Atlanta, Ga. 30342, or the United Methodist Children's Home, 500 S. Columbia Drive, Decatur, Ga. 30030. A. S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home & Crematory.