Lamar Oglesby

OGLESBY, Lamar

Lamar Ellis Oglesby joined God in Glory on November 22, 2025. She died peacefully surrounded by her family and has been reunited with her husband, Richard; and their daughter, Frances, who both preceded her in death. The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William D. Ellis III, Mrs. Oglesby was born May 14, 1932 in Atlanta, GA. She attended E. Rivers School, Washington Seminary and Sweet Briar College.

After graduation, Lamar joined International Business Machines where she travelled the Southeastern United States instructing clients on how to use IBM's products. In 1959, she married Richard A. Oglesby and soon left the world of computers to start a family. Together they raised four children: John F. Oglesby (Nancy), Frances O. Williamson (Michael), Richard A. Oglesby, Jr. (Caye) and the Rev. Wm. Ellis Oglesby (Lucy.) She is also survived by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Tyler Lewis (John, Fletcher and Archer), Will Oglesby and Lamar "Ellie" Oglesby, all from Atlanta, Rob Stuckey of Dahlonega, GA, Sarah P. Bennett (Brayden), of Portland, OR, Jack Williamson (Rebecca and Reese) of Portsmouth, NH, Frances Stokes (Rob), of Pensacola, FL, David Oglesby (Justine), of Madison, WI, Luke and Rick Oglesby, of Austin, TX.

Lamar was the most beautiful of contradictions: she was sophisticated yet rustic, educated but easy to understand and sweet while staying firm. Always up for an adventure, she was a Chewonki as a child and enjoyed summers at Camp Nakanawa. She and a group of friends from kindergarten shared a life-long friendship and a Bridge Club. Lamar was a member of the Junior League. She also became fascinated with flowers and gardens and was a member of the Cherokee Garden Club and was the fourth president of the Cherokee Garden Library. She was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Westminster Schools (the successor to Washington Seminary and the school that educated all her children as well as six of her grandchildren.)

Her most beloved role, however, was that of wife and mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Lamar's home was always welcoming to family and friends, and everyone was well-fed and appropriately entertained. As much as she loved their family home on Westover Dr, Lamar first fell in love with Porter Springs in Dahlonega, GA as she was falling in love with Richard. They purchased a home there in 1960 and created a haven for their family where their children learned to love the outdoors away from the hustle and bustle of Atlanta. She was quite the fisherman and loved to teach others the joy of the pursuit. Her ashes will be interred in a private memorial garden overlooking the lake.

In addition to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Lamar is survived by her brother, Wm. Douglas Ellis, Jr., of FL; her brother-in-law, M. Lamar Oglesby, both from Atlanta; and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held on November 30, 2 PM at Central Presbyterian Church. The service can be livestreamed at www.cpcatlanta.org. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lamar Ellis Oglesby Fund at the Cherokee Garden Library (Atlanta History Center).