Beecher Olive

OLIVE, BEECHER; Beecher Olive was born in Ramer, Tennessee on November 24, 1921, the youngest son of John Richard and Lula Olive. Surrounded by family, he entered into God's Glory, and much deserved rest, on November 23, 2011, just 3 hours short of his 90th birthday. His wife of 63 years, Geraldine Noles Olive, and his siblings Robert Olive, Thetus "Wink" Olive, Sue Olive Gamble, Ruth Olive Tribble, Kate Olive Lee and Faye Olive Tribble, preceded him in death. He is survived by two grown children, David Olive, McLean, VA, and Gerry Olive Brown (Richard) of New Braunfels, TX, three grandchildren, Nathan Brown (Ashley) Liberty Hill, TX, Carie Lawson (Kirby) Richmond, TX, and Micah Brown, College Station, TX; with five great grandchildren, Joshua, Asher, and Ellie Brown; Kaleb and Jack Lawson, and countless friends. As a young boy the family moved to Natural Bridge in Winston County, Alabama, where his father managed a sawmill. Upon the death of his father, while quite young, he moved with his mother to the Woodlawn section of Birmingham, Alabama where he attended Gibson Elementary School, Woodlawn High School and the Draughon School of Business. He was drafted into the Army and served in the 3238th Ordnance M.M. Company, China-Burma-India theatre during World War II where he was a Supply Sergeant. In March 2010, he was awarded an honorary promotion to First Sergeant by LTG Ron Burgess, Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, in recognition of a promotion promised but not fulfilled when WWII ended. Upon his honorable discharge from the Army, Beecher went to work with his uncle, Marshall Hockaday, at World's Products Company, a wholesale distributorship. He eventually bought the business. Upon his uncle's death, he served as guardian for his Aunt Gertrude, who lived to be 102. He ran the business until a series of health issues forced him to sell it in the 1980s. After retirement, he served as a polling official at Holman and Comer Elementary Schools. As his health permitted, he served as a doorman and usher at the Birmingham-Jefferson County Civic Center. Beecher was introduced to the love of his life, Geraldine Noles, a native of Nauvoo, Alabama by Geraldine's cousin, Myrtle (Noles) Urquhart. Geraldine was also "hand picked "by his mother, Lula, to be his wife. They were married on October 13, 1946 following a Sunday morning service at Norwood Baptist Church in Birmingham, where he gave his life to the Lord and was ordained as a Deacon. Unfortunately, their first child, Kenneth Beecher, died shortly after birth, but they were soon blessed with another son, David Marshall, and later a daughter, Gerry Marie. Beecher was very active in the churches he attended. As one of the Roebuck Park Baptist Church (now Northpark Baptist, Trussville) founding families, he served as a Church Trustee and on the Board of Deacons. After relocating to the Crestwood area, he and his family became very involved members of then, Woodlawn Baptist Church, now Liberty Park Baptist Church in Vestavia Hills. Beecher was an active participant in the transition of moving from Woodlawn to Liberty Park. He remained active as a former Chairman of the Deacons, Trustee, Finance Committee member, Associate Sunday School Director, and faithful member of his Sunday School class prior to his move to Texas,. Because of his impeccable integrity, Beecher could always be found serving either on Wednesday night collecting money for fellowship suppers, Sunday mornings collecting and accounting for offerings for on-going ministries of the church, or weekdays behind the desk as a volunteer at Trinity Hospital in the Professional Building. He was also an avid and very competitive domino player playing at least once a week with some of his best buddies at Liberty Park Baptist Church. He and his wife enjoyed making memories and friends from the Supper Club she started in the 1960's, which continues to this day. As a member of the Alabama Speakers Club, Beecher was a frequently called upon, award winning speaker, making many life-long friends along the way. After the death of his wife, he moved to New Braunfels, TX to live with his daughter Gerry and husband, Dick, where he faithfully attended San Marcos Community Church as long as he was able. Great memories were made having the laughter of the great-grandkids around, making sure his birds were fed, counting the backyard deer, and at the age of 88 took his first ride on a motorcycle. Beecher knew that his responsibilities to his Lord and his family were first and foremost. Many years were spent making sure his children were brought up in the "ways of the Lord", attending church every time the doors were opened and setting the example of stewardship with both time and resources. He enjoyed watching Alabama/college football, teaching his children and others how to shoot fireworks and water ski while at their lake house. He was always helping Geraldine organize and enjoy numerous bus tours, home Bible studies and parties, and making yard work a family affair. Beecher will always be remembered for being a true Southern gentleman with his kindness, integrity, wit, thoughtfulness, incredible generosity, and humble gratitude for all the Lord has done. Following in that tradition, his family would like to thank the caring nurses and medical teams at Trinity Hospital, B'ham, AL, particularly Dr. Calvert Dodson, MDVIP, and the team at Cardiovascular Associates. In New Braunfels, TX, his family would like to thank the medical team at Christus Santa Rosa Hospital New Braunfels, New Braunfels Cardiology; Comal Urology Associates; Jason Nelson, and the incredibly caring team at Hope Hospice New Braunfels. There will never be enough gratitude for our loving caregivers, Rosie Hernandez and Jennifer Sanchez. There is no doubt he left a wonderful impression on all of them as well! Well done, good and faithful son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend! A Memorial celebration of Mr. Olive's life will be held on Sunday, December 4th at 2:00 p.m. at San Marcos Community Church, San Marcos, TX. In Birmingham, AL, a military graveside service will be at Jefferson Memorial Cemetery in Trussville, Alabama, on Wednesday, December 7th, at 10:00 a.m. followed by a Memorial Service at Liberty Park Baptist Church at 11:30 a.m. Visitation will be Tuesday, December 6th, from 5:00PM until 7:00PM. In lieu of flowers, we would appreciate your donations to any of the following: Building Fund, San Marcos Community Church; Hope Hospice New Braunfels, TX; Liberty Park Baptist Church, Vestavia Hills, Ala, or the ministry/ charity of your choice .