Josephine Oliver

Josephine Hill "Jo" Oliver, 102, died peacefully Sunday, June 1, 2014, at Alexian Village. She will be remembered as a loving wife and companion, selfless mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and tireless contributor to the community. Born in Vinita, Okla., on Sept. 16, 1911, she was the first woman in her family to graduate from college, Oklahoma A&M. Franklin D. Rooseville was her favorite President because she said, "He sent us to school through the National Youth Administration." It was there that she met her husband of more than 50 years, John Oliver. Legend has it that Jo moved 30 times during their marriage, living in such places as Chicago, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Summit, N.J., New York City, Westport, Conn., Sacramento, Calif., and Signal Mountain. She was active in the lives of her three children, serving in leadership positions in multiple parent-teacher organizations, Episcopal Church volunteer groups, and scouting. When Jo moved back to Signal Mountain in1970, she was a volunteer at Hunter Art Museum, Chattanooga Symphony, Meals on Wheels, the Chattanooga Language Bank, the Signal Mountain Library, the Chattanooga Urban League, and the Alexian Village Resident Counsel. She is survived by children, John Oliver,Vallejo, Calif., Fran Oliver Palmer, Signal Mountain, and Jim Oliver, Wilmington, N. C.; five grandchildren, Julia Oliver, Andrew Oliver, Timothy Oliver, Eric Wolfe and Lucy Morozanova; three great-grandchildren, Liam and George Oliver, of Austin Texas, and Nicholas Menzel, of Vallejo, Californis, daughters-in-law, Karen and Faina, and son-in-law, Al Palmer, who died in 2010, and Als son, Tom, and daughter, Caroline, their spouses and children. A memorial service will be held at the Alexian chapel at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 7. Contributions may be sent to Health Care at Alexian Village, Signal Mountain, where she received wonderful care. Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home, Chattanooga.