Mary Carolyn Olson

Mary Carolyn Olson, 91, Gladstone, Missouri, passed peacefully from this life into the arms of Jesus on May 3, 2024. She was born at home on December 24,1932 to Conrad and Eileen Drayer of Macon, Missouri. During World War II the family moved to Kansas City. In 1947 Mary graduated from Central High School and began her first job at the Sears Department Store in downtown Kansas City.

In 1951, Mary wed her high school sweetheart Edward Eugene Payne, Sr. To this union three sons were born. Tragically, Mary was left a widow in 1956 when Eugene perished in an accident while stationed in the Navy in Illinois. Mary and her three sons returned to Kansas City to be near her parents. It was there that she would meet James Emory Olson who would become her second husband. They were married August 15,1957 and to this union one daughter was born. Jim and Mary were married for 64 years until Jim's death in 2021.

Mary was a wonderful homemaker and also worked alongside Jim for ten years in their own Western Auto Store in Excelsior Springs, MO. Later they would together operate the True Value Store in Excelsior Springs. Mary loved to work and did so well into her 80's working at Westlake Hardware in Kansas City. 

Over the course of their married life, she and Jim traveled to Canada, Mexico, and Spain. In their later years they enjoyed traveling around the United States. But their favorite place to vacation was wherever their children and grandchildren resided. 

Mary loved cats. She loved to sew and bake for others, and she loved watching the KU Jayhawks play basketball. She loved and adored her family and enjoyed the time she spent with them. Most of all she loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and sought to please Him in how she lived her life.

Mary was a current member of LifeBridge Baptist Church of Kansas City, MO. Wherever Mary resided during her life, she was always a part of the local church. She served as a Sunday school teacher, AWANA helper, kitchen helper, and more. She was a faithful pastor’s wife, serving alongside Jim for eight years at Prathersville Bible Church, in Excelsior Springs, MO.
She was preceded in death by her parents: Conrad Lee Drayer, and Eileen (Peterson) Drayer; brother: Robert Drayer; first husband: Edward Eugene Payne, Sr; second husband: James Emory Olson; grandson: James Carleton Olson; great granddaughter: Emery Jolene Howe; and daughter in law: Kimberly Olson.

Survivors include her brother: Donald Drayer; children: Edward (Debbie) Olson, Robert (Lesley) Olson, John Olson, Karen (Roger) Howe; grandchildren: Megan (Tony) Modzelewski, Alexander Olson, Heather (Brian) Linville, Nathan (Lauren) Howe, Benjamin (Sara) Howe, Philip (Sarah) Howe, and Matthew (Olivia) Howe; great grandchildren: James A. Olson, Ella Howe, Clayton Howe, Caleb Howe, Carter Howe, Peter Howe, Dallas Howe, Ezekiel Howe, and Selah Howe.

"For God so love the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."-John 3:16