She was born January 20, 1930, in Quintown, Alabama, a daughter of the late John Wilford and Alta Alexander Hicks. She graduated from West Jefferson High School, married, and began her college education at Auburn University. After taking time away from that to raise a family, she attended The University of Alabama where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Education.
She was a teacher for many years in the Mobile County Alabama school system, beginning at Peter Joe Hamilton Elementary School in Chickasaw. Later, she taught history at Davidson High School in Mobile, and Satsuma High School in Satsuma,where she lived for over 50 years and where she retired.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 73 years, Earl C. Oliver; a son, Mark Oliver; her sisters, Virginia Hicks and Helen Hicks Turner, and her brother, Dr. John W. Hicks, Jr.
She is survived by two sons, Gary Oliver (Leighanne) of The Woodlands, Texas, and Mitch Oliver (Jill) of Montgomery, Alabama; three grandchildren, Lauren Fidel (Spencer) of The Woodlands, Texas, Landon Oliver (Katrina) of Houston, Texas, and Tyler Oliver of Montgomery, Alabama; and one great-grandchild, Bennett Fidel of The Woodlands, Texas.
She was a member of Central Church of Christ in Saraland, Alabama. Funeral services will be held in the chapel of Radney Funeral Home-Saraland on Tuesday, August 11, 2026 beginning at 2:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens 10000 Celeste Rd., Saraland, AL 36571.
Condolences may be offered at www.radneyfuneralhome-saraland.com.
