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Deborah Oliver Obituary
She is preceded in death by husband Lt. Col. USMC Retired Samuel (Sam) C. Oliver in 2012, her son Stephen Clay Oliver in 1987, and two sisters Ann Revell Chadeayne Brown and Marilee Chadeayne Martin.
Mrs. Oliver graduated from Visitation Academy in 1944 and from Georgetown Visitation Junior College in Washington, D.C. in 1946. She was a Veiled Prophet Debutante where she formed a lifelong bond with her best friend Elizabeth (Betty) Darst Costello, who also preceded her in death.
She married her husband Sam of more than 60 years on November 28, 1951. Together they had seven children and were famous for their parties and love of politics.
In 1985 Lt. Col. and Mrs. Oliver retired to Licking, where they spent 23 years. In 2008, they moved to Rolla to be closer to family.
Mrs. Oliver had a deep love for history, historical preservation, and reading. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, a founding member of the Hawks Inn Historical Society in Delafield, Wisconsin, and a founding member of the Friends of the Library in Licking, Missouri.
She also enjoyed traveling the world, art, music, being a member of the Red Hat Society, and Jeopardy!
Survivors include her daughters Elizabeth Oliver of Waukesha, WI; Mary (Michael) Hall of Rolla; Anne Lewis of Dallas, TX; and Amy (John) Cooke of Greeley, CO; sons Sloan (Sandra) Oliver of Macon, GA; and Theodore (Angela) Oliver of Waukesha, WI; 11 grandchildren; one great grandchild (due in three months), sister Gabrielle (Tom) Noonan of Saint Louis; cousin David Volk, Sr. of Saint Louis; a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives; and scores of dear friends.
Lt. Col. and Mrs. Oliver will be interred together at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, 2900 Sheridan Road, St. Louis, MO 63125 on Friday, August 19, at 1 pm.
A joint memorial service and celebration of life for both of them will be on August 20, at 11 am at Visitation Academy 3020 N Ballas Rd, St. Louis, MO 63131.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to Visitation Academy (https://www.visitationacademy.org/giving/make-a-gift/) or St. John's Northwestern Military Academy (https://sjnmadonatenow.givingfuel.com/donate-now)
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Deborah Oliver
3 Entries
Susie Peat
August 25, 2016
I echo the sentiments that Angie so eloquently wrote. Aunt Debbie and I had a similar relationship on many levels. I too shall miss the fun phone conversations that kept me smiling for hours after hanging up. We talked about anything under the sun, especially family, our pets and politics. She was amazingly bright and informed. My heart is broken that she is gone.
I applaud Ted, Angie, Brady and Caroline for taking in Archie, Aunt Debbie's treasured cat. What a lucky stray! And tremendous thanks to Amy and John for taking in Puppy to live out the rest of her life. It takes a lot of love and compassion to take in an aging animal. It gives me great comfort to know that Aunt Debbie's beloved animals are in loving arms.
Today is Aunt Debbie's birthday. Happy Birthday! I love and miss you so much.
Angela Oliver
August 23, 2016
Debbie was more than a mother in law she was one of my best friends. We shared many laughs over long conversations. We shared a passion for reading and a great love for animals. I couldn't wait for her next book recommendation, and was always so excited to tell her what I had read. Through the years I loved hearing about all of her four legged friends. Buck, Jake, Puppy, Reese, and Archie. Ted, Brady, Caroline and I have the great honor of adopting Archie and including him in our family. I will miss Debbie every single day and am so grateful to have had her in my life as an amazing, thoughtful mother in law and a true friend.
August 16, 2016
Amy, what a wonderful mother you had. I am so sorry. Shayne
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