Olivia Smith Scholle

Olivia Smith-Scholle Born on January 28, 1916 to Clifford and Myra Etchieson in Ada, Oklahoma, our beloved Mother, Grandmother and Great-grandmother passed away on September 8, 2011 in Round Rock, Texas.

She moved with to Dallas with her parents in 1922, and after graduating with honors from Dallas Technical High, Olivia enrolled in Southern Methodist University. During her freshman year, she met and married Jay S. Smith and together they raised three children. Jay's career took them to several states, but they ultimately settled in Austin.

In 1954, Olivia became associated with the Austin Better Business Bureau, serving as Executive Assistant until her retirement in 1978. She was a lifetime member of the Church of Christ, and was a true example of Christian character and love. During her business career, Olivia was an active member of the National Secretaries Association, a charter member of the Austin Star Chapter of WBWA, the Austin Palette Club and the Llano Fine Arts Guild, where she participated in numerous exhibitions. She was co-founder of the Austin Chapter of the Child Nurture Club, and later named Honorary Life Member. After her retirement, Olivia was inducted into the National Quarter Century Club of the Better Business Bureau.

Olivia was a gifted artist and writer. She was a contributing writer on consumer affairs for the Austin American Statesman, and at the age of 85 published her journals chronicling details of each generation, as a legacy of love for her family. In addition to painting, Olivia conducted art classes in Austin, Georgetown, and later in her Dallas studio. Many of her beloved students are among her closest friends.

Four years after Jay Smith's death in 1991, Olivia married family friend Carl H. Scholle, of Dallas, and they enjoyed four wonderful years together.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Jay S. Smith, brothers Leonard Etchieson and John Etchieson, grandson Jon Leonard Shaffer and husband Carl Scholle.

She is survived by her son, Victor C. Smith and wife Ginger of Georgetown; daughter Leta Shaffer Laymon of Rockport; daughter Myra K. Berry and husband Ron of Dallas; step-daughter Marguerite Scholle Camp and husband Warren of Richardson; three grand-children, Julie Anna Smith of Dallas, Jason Clifford Smith and wife Erica of Leander and Brian Christopher Berry of Dallas; great-grandchildren Bailey and Blake Smith of Leander; special nephew John S. Etchieson of Austin; and several loved nieces, nephews and cousins, along with a host of cherished friends.

The family would like to offer their gratitude to Dr. Benjamin Havemann, the Grand Court, Park Valley Inn Health Center and Asera Care Hospice for their exceptional and tender care.

Visitation will be held on Friday, September 9, 2011 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks, 14501 North IH35, Pflugerville, TX. Services will be at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, September 10, 2011 in the Memorial Chapel of Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home, with Steve Carrizal officiating. Pallbearers will be Jason Smith, Brian Berry, John S. Etchieson, Ted Parsons, Mike Smets, and Buddy Kruse.

To share memories of Olivia with her family, please visit www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com.