Frances Jane Schmidt Oliver

Frances Jane Schmidt Oliver, loving mother, grandmother, unwavering friend, and devoted wife was called to her eternal home on May 22, 2011. Francis was born on September 25, 1927 to Grace Helen Lackey Schmidt and Thomas Edward Schmidt in Floresville, Texas. The young family moved to San Antonio, where she attended St. Gerard Catholic School through High School. After graduating from high school she went to work for Southwestern Bell Telephone becoming the youngest supervisor in the accounting department. Soon thereafter Frances went on a blind date with a charming young man who presented her with a rose. That man stole her heart and Fred Lamar Oliver became her husband on July 1, 1950. The marriage would span 62 happy and very eventful years. Seven children blessed their home in the next eight and one-half years. The young couple moved from San Antonio to Austin where Fred finished his BS in Geology and BS in Physics at The University of Texas before moving to Wichita, Kansas and later settling in Dallas in 1954 to raise their growing family.

Soon after settling in Dallas, the family moved into the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church Parish where their children attended school. Frances was an active member of the Parish throughout her life, involved for many years with the Altar Guild. She also volunteered for the Ladies of Charity Thrift Shop. Frances loved reading and participated in The 4th Crane Book Review Club for over 35 years. She was a loved friend to many, especially her Birthday Group who celebrated each others lives for over 30 years. She was a den mother, Girl Scouts leader, short order cook, travel guide, bus driver, bed warden, bouncer, life guard, sergeant at arms, party planner (hostess extraordinaire), beach babe, vacation home manager, casserole queen, field medic, pet manager for exotic strays including a boa constrictor, coatimundi, raccoons, a javelina, squirrels, chipmunks, bunnies, chickens, doves, parakeets, Tiger the cat, Perky, Noche and Bandit, her beloved dogs, all while coordinating her family.

Frances and Fred were married for 62 blissful years. One of their many passions included traveling and exploring the world: Russia, Switzerland (the Matterhorn), Alaska, Europe, Colorado and Taos. They cruised with friends on the QE II and the Queen Mary, and to France and Alaska, and flew on the Concorde. They sailed to Bar Harbor and Eleuthera and many points in between with dear friends.

Frances is survived by her devoted husband Fred Lamar Oliver, seven admiring children, four daughters-in-law, two sons-in-law, and fourteen grandchildren: Fred Lamar Oliver, Jr., wife Lori Green Oliver, their two children, Jaclyn Oliver and Jacob Oliver; James Cylburn Oliver; Duane Louis Oliver, daughter-in-law Robin Pulley Oliver and their two sons, Christopher Oliver and Chase Oliver; Jane Marie Oliver Smith, her husband Steven S. Smith and their three sons, Oliver Smith, Austin Smith, and Mason Smith; Gary Patrick Oliver, his wife Peggy McDowell Oliver and his son Patrick Oliver; Paul Edward Oliver, his wife Shannon Price Oliver, their two sons Nicolas Oliver and Travis Oliver, and Judith Ann Oliver Lee, her husband Frank P. Lee, and their four children, Grace Lee, Parker Lee, Jane Perry Lee, and Jay Lee.

She was proceeded in death by her older brother, Thomas Schmidt Jr. and her parents.

Pallbearers are: Parker Lee, Jay Lee, Christopher Oliver, Chase Oliver, Patrick Oliver, Mason Smith, and Jim Cummings.

Honorary Pallbearers are: Bob Angiel, Bob Montgomery, Ray Eubank, Ralph Holloway, Clyde McCall, Dave Brass, Don Gifford, Leonard Bryans, Bill La Roche, Jim Gibbs.

A rosary and visitation will be held at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church on Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. 6306 Kenwood Road, Dallas, Texas 75214. (214) 821-3360

Funeral Services will be Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 6306 Kenwood Road, Dallas, Texas 75214. Following the service a reception will be held at St. Thomas Catholic Church, St. Ann's Hall. (214) 821-3360.

Interment will be at Calvary Hill Funeral Home following the reception, if you wish to attend, you may meet the family at Calvary Hill Funeral Home, 3235 Lombardy Lane, Dallas, Texas 75220. (214) 357-5754. From the church go west on Northwest Highway, right (North) on Webbs Chapel Road, watch for a veer left in the road onto Lombardy Lane, cemetery will be on the right.

The family appreciates all the loving and caring assistance from the nurses and staff on the 3rd floor of Hamon Building, Presbyterian Hospital and Dallas Hospice nurses and staff, and Dr. Maureen Gutierrez, their compassion and care helped us through a difficult time.

The family has requested that those who prefer to make a donation in lieu of flowers to make it to: Hospice Dallas, Texas, 4350 Sigma Road, Suite 400, Dallas, Texas 75244 or Ladies of Charity of Dallas, P.O. Box 595666, Dallas, Texas 75323.

Arrangements under the direction of Calvary Hill Funeral Home, Dallas, TX.