Avis Olliff

Avis Olliff, 83, of Valdosta, passed away on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at South Georgia Medical Center. Born in Kite, GA on January 16, 1942, to the late William Roy Hendricks and Mary Marguerite Winfrey Hendricks. Growing up in Kite, she graduated from Kite High School in 1960, the Salutatorian of her class. She went on to Brewton Parker College and studied Education. She met Benny Olliff in college, and they started dating and were married on June 11, 1961. She soon started her family and followed Benny during his brief stint in the United States Air Force. Mrs. Olliff finished her Education Degree in Georgia College in Milledgeville, and started teaching in Nichols, GA. The Olliff family moved to New Orleans, and she continued teaching there. Mrs. Olliff went on to teach for another 9 years in Vernon, TX. In 1986, the Olliff’s moved to Valdosta, and she taught for two years in St. Mary’s before teaching at Hahira Elementary. She taught at Hahira for another 17 years before retiring in 2007. She loved working in her yard with her flowers, keeping them blooming all the time. Mrs. Olliff was a member at First Baptist Church where she sang in the choir.

Mrs. Olliff is survived by her husband of 64 years, Rev. Benny Olliff, of Valdosta; her daughter and son-in-law, Cassandra and Gayland Collins, of Broxton, GA; her son and daughter-in-law, John B. Olliff, III and Janet Olliff, of Lake Park; daughter, Desiree Ann Olliff of Valdosta; her sister Diane Flanders, of Kite, GA; her grandchildren, Jared Collins, of Athens, Stephen Collins, of Clarksville, VA, Aaron Collins, of Everett, WA , Joel Collins, of Broxton, GA, Joseph Olliff, of Charleston, SC, Heather and Matthew Rosales, of Virginia Beach, VA, and Parker Cole, of Virginia Beach, VA; nine great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers Clifford Hendricks, and Aaron Hendricks, and her sisters, Sue Carstarphen, Lera Holder, and Geraldine Bailey.

A funeral service for Mrs. Olliff will be held at 11am on Saturday, June 7, 2025, in the chapel of the Carson McLane Funeral Home. Burial will follow at McLane Riverview Memorial Gardens. Prior to the service the family will visit from 10-11am. Online condolences to the family may be shared at www.mclanefuneralservices.com.

Carson McLane Funeral Home