Olive H. Rich

2/15/1930 - 9/18/2015

Olive Haines Rich, 85, of Middleburg Florida went home to be with her Savior, Friday September 18, 2015 at St. Vincent’s Hospital Riverside. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by her children.

Mrs. Rich was born in Coral Gables, Florida in 1930. She graduated from Ponce De Leon High School in Miami, Florida. She resided most of her early life in Miami, Florida where she met her future husband, Gerald Rich, in Key West, Florida. She and Jerry traveled frequently due to US Navy transfers.

She taught at Episcopal Day School Christ Church, Pensacola Florida and retired in 1992. Additionally, Mrs. Rich worked many years as a pre K teacher at Gulf Breeze Presbyterian Church. She relocated to Middleburg, Florida where she joined her youngest son and family in residence. At this point she became a member of Abundant Life Christian Fellowship of Jacksonville, Florida.

Ollie enjoyed being in the presence of her many grandchildren and great grandchildren. This allowed her to participate in her favorite activities of bowling, swimming, watching the “Cubbies and Gators” and all outdoor water sports. She was an avid reader, student and servant of her Savior, Jesus Christ.

Olive was preceded in death by her parents (Olive and Fred Haines), her husband (Jerry), brothers (Fred, Richard, and Robert Haines). She is survived by her children (Gerald Rich Jr and wife, Carla, of Pensacola, FL; Julie Caldwell of Pensacola, FL; James Rich and wife Nancy of Middleburg, FL) She was blessed with 14 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.

Olive is best remembered for her statement, “The greatest joy is children’s hearts”.

In lieu of flowers, Olive supported Abundant Life Christian Fellowship, The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Rev. David Jeremiah.

Funeral service is 7 PM Thursday, September 24, 2015 at Abundant Life Christian Fellowship, 4401 George Town Drive Jacksonville, FL with 1 hour prior visitation. Interment is 1:15 PM Friday, September 25, 2015 at Barrancas National Cemetery, 1 Cemetery Road Pensacola, FL. Please arrive 30 minutes early for cemetery and have I.D. present to get on base.