Geraldine Olive

OLIVE, GERALDINE NOLES. Geraldine Noles Olive, age 83, with loved ones beside her, passed away on Sunday, August 23, 2009 at her home. She was preceded in death by her parents, Claude and Ada Noles of Nauvoo, AL; her first child, Kenneth Beecher Olive; her sisters Nellie Odom, Mabel Williams, and her brothers, George, Walter, Bill and James Noles. She is survived by her husband of almost 63 years, Beecher Olive; two children, David Olive of McLean, VA and Gerry (Richard) Brown of New Braunfels, TX, and their families. She is also survived by her sisters, Christine Hyde, Claudine Northcutt and Estee Wiggins, all of the Birmingham area. She was beloved by her three grandchildren, Nathan (Ashley) Brown, Carie (Kirby) Lawson and Micah Brown, her four great grandchildren, Joshua, Asher and Ellie Brown and Kaleb Lawson, and scores of other nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors.

She was a long time member of Woodlawn Baptist Church and, upon its relocation, Liberty Park Baptist Church where she served faithfully as a greeter. She taught the Junior Sunday School classes for many years. Her passion for gardening was evidenced by her skill at flower arranging, developed during her tenure as a member of the Flora-Dora Garden Club. She helped Woodlawn High School win many City of Birmingham Beautification Awards. With a friend from church, she helped organize and for many years helped lead bus tours all across America with a group called "The Alabamians." Although she did not attend college, she was as good a grammarian as any English major. She was also an evangelist for healthy eating habits and served at times as President of The Supper Club. Throughout her life she was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ, known for her unselfish service to others and her unconditional love of family and friends.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, August 26, 2009 with visitation at 1:00pm and memorial services at 2:00pm at Liberty Park Baptist Church, 12001 Liberty Parkway, Birmingham, AL 39242 with burial to follow in Jefferson Memorial Gardens East, Trussville, AL. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the General Fund of the Liberty Park Baptist Church