Elizabeth Oliver

Elizabeth Reid Oliver

Elizabeth Reid Oliver, age 86, passed peacefully on Saturday, March 28 after a protracted illness. The oldest of five children, she was born in Atlanta and moved to Savannah at age 13, where she graduated from Savannah High School in 1957. After attending Armstrong College, she enjoyed a varied career that included work with Clement Evans & Company, IBM Corporation, Citco, and an adventurous stint as a flight attendant for Delta Airlines before working with her husband in their family-owned business – Shaef's Pest Control – which she ran after his death until the time of its sale.

In her twenties, Elizabeth lived in Atlanta with her best friend, Sandra Fowler. For decades thereafter, Elizabeth proudly displayed her Judo Certificate from a class that she and Sandra took on self-defense.

Community service was a lifelong pursuit for Elizabeth. She devoted many hours to supporting charitable organizations, from serving on boards (Florence Crittenden Home, Kiwanis Club of Savannah, Parent and Child Development Services, Riverview Health and Rehabilitation Center) to chairing various committees at arts organizations, including the Community Children's Theater, and tutoring for the Adult Literacy Program. Elizabeth was a member of the Junior League of Savannah and the Savannah Bridge Club and was an active and faithful member of her church community.

Elizabeth was very politically active. She volunteered for many local, state, and national campaigns, as well as the Chatham County Democratic Committee, and was awarded the 2003 "Yellow Dog Democrat" in Chatham County.

She was known for her strong (some might say "feisty") personality. She traveled extensively both in the U.S. and abroad and enjoyed reading, participating in her book club, and attending lectures. Elizabeth taught bridge, was a seamstress, a master gardener, and, later in life, a potter.

Elizabeth is preceded in death by her parents, Felix Calloway Reid Jr. and Hannah Tatton Jones Reid, and her husband, James Wise Oliver. She is survived by her devoted children, James R. Oliver (Kathy Forest) of Arlington, VA; Mary Catherine Oliver, of Savannah, GA, and Sherri (Steve) Resor of Metairie, LA., as well as her beloved grandchildren James Tatton Oliver, Gabriella Elizabeth (aka Bella) OliverSmith (Joe Nazareth), Georgiana Grace (aka Gigi) OliverSmith; and Greer Marguerite (aka Maisy) OliverSmith and step-grandchildren Matthew Chamberlain and Thomas Chamberlain, of Arlington, VA. She is also survived by her dear siblings, Hannah Mackenzie (Bill dec.) of Coppell, TX; Catie (Michael) Strickland, of Troy, AL; Felix (aka Buddy) (Cris) Reid, of Bridgewater, VA; and Mary Jo (Bill) Dukes, of Athens, GA and many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff at Azalealand Nursing Home, Coastal Care Partners, and Hospice Savannah for their loving care of Elizabeth in her final years.

Services of Christian burial will be held on April 11, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. graveside at Bonaventure Cemetery with reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The American Heart Association, and Elizabeth would want you to vote.