When we were children, our mom would take us to an open field, spread a blanket and we would spend hours looking at the stars and listening to stories of how the constellations came to be in the night sky. The heavens are infinitely brighter now although the earth is decidedly dimmer with the passing of Carlotta Criswell (Cris) Oliver. Born in Forney, TX on 5/27/1928 to William Francis Criswell and Helen Melvina Trail, she died on 9/3/2023 in Dallas, Texas. She was an only child raised on a subsistence farm near Kaufman in the Depression, riding her pony to and from a one room schoolhouse. Cris graduated from Baylor with a degree in English Literature and next from Vanderbilt Nursing School. She married her patient, Dr Billy B. Oliver in 1952 and treasured their 53 years of life together. She is survived by her children: Frank Ed (Julie) of Dallas, Julie of Houston, and Jan (Neile) of Austin. Cris is also survived by a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, cousins, and dear friends.
Her names were many. Cris was a nickname for her Criswell birth name, Mama Cris was bestowed upon her by her grandson Ian. Her childhood friends and family called her Carlotta or Carlo.
Cris was elegant and sassy with an air of royalty. She loved life. She loved the laughter of children, stories, birds, dogs, flowers, and song. She lived with joyful abandon and greeted each new experience with a childlike sense of wonder and gratitude. Cris was a champion of the underdog. She had a strong work ethic, an awe of and connection to the natural world, a knack for making everyone feel special and an intellectual curiosity that knew no bounds. She always seemed to find the positive in things. She loved being a woman in a man’s world but was a gentle feminist. She loved her men to have a musky strength and gentle compassion. She had a love of excitement with a touch of naughty danger. She was known for her sense of style and beautiful smile.
Cris will also be remembered as an HPISD volunteer, Boy Scout supporter, Girl Scout Leader, enthusiastic Hidden Hiller, Mentor Club and Craig Class member, tutor at the Vietnamese Mutual Assistance Association, School Nurse at St. Michael’s, Vickery Meadow Center ESL teacher, founding member of Aldersgate Class at First United Methodist Church in Downtown Dallas, a neighborhood party organizer, and others too numerous to recount.
The family wants to thank Nunu Gelete and Lena Tessma for their tender, compassionate care for Cris’ last ten months of life.
There will be a Memorial Service and reception afterwards at the Presbyterian Village North Chapel on November 18, 2023 at 10:30am. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Doctors Without Borders or Literacy Achieves (previously known as Vickery Meadows Learning Center).
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