Mary Leslie Keen Olson

Mary Leslie Keen Olson, 84, of Tallahassee, FL, died Monday (8/8/16) at her home after a lengthy illness. A native of Sarasota, FL, she came to Tallahassee in 1933. She attended Randolph-Macon Women’s College and graduated from Florida State University in 1953 with an AB in English. Mary Leslie was a gracious southern lady who was devoted to her faith, her family and her many friends. A lifelong active member of Trinity United Methodist Church she was a former Sunday school teacher, board member and volunteer. Mary Leslie was an avid gardener and Master Gardener as well as a past chairman of the Violet Garden Circle. Her life was always filled with books and learning, and she enjoyed her membership in the Tallahassee Literary Club. She was the leader of a 4-H club for many years where she impacted the lives of all the girls she worked with. She was quietly involved in her community where she believed she could be of service. She has served on the Executive Board of Southern Scholarship Foundation, the Junior Museum Board, the Cotillion Club Board and was past vice president of the Tallahassee Junior League. Mary Leslie was the personnel advisor for the Gamma Chapter of Chi Omega at FSU for many years. She was a member of her beloved sewing circle, known affectionately as the “PM’s”, for more than 40 years. This stellar group of women met weekly to sew and support each other through life.

Mary Leslie was predeceased by her father and mother James Velma & Mary Weedon Keen, her husband Robert Brown Drake, her husband Thomas Edwin Henderson and step-son Tom L. Henderson.

She is survived by her husband John Scott Olson, Sr., daughters Mary Weedon Drake Patterson of Tallahassee, FL, Leslie Keen Drake Schutt (Peter) of Memphis, TN, step-sons, John Scott Olson, Jr. of Tallahassee, FL, Charles Dalton Olson (Elizabeth) of Thomasville, GA, Raymond Allen Olson (Suzanne) St. Petersburg, FL , Mark C. Henderson & step-daughter Elizabeth Henderson Barksdale.

She is also survived by grandchildren, Drake Schutt (Katelin) of Pelham, TN, Robert Schutt & Harrison Schutt of Memphis, TN, Grant Patterson (Christine) of Ormond Beach, FL & Rebecca Patterson of Cincinnati, OH. Mary Leslie is also survived by her step-grandchildren Kelley, Brad, and Jeff Olson of Tallahassee, FL, Elizabeth, Maria, & Anna Price Olson of Thomasville, GA, Olivia, & Luke Olson of St. Petersburg, FL & great-grandchildren Annalyn Patterson and Guinevere Patterson.

Memorial donations may be sent to : Trinity United Methodist Church, PO Box 1086, Tallahassee 32302 , Southern Scholarship Foundation, 322 Stadium Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32304 or the charity of the donor's choice.