Eleanor McCoy Oliver

Eleanor McCoy Oliver of Hendersonville, TN passed away Monday, July 11, 2022 at the age of 82. She was born in Knoxville, TN to the late Robert and Madelle McCoy. Graduated from Treadwell High School in Memphis, TN. She earned a Bachelor of Science at Memphis State (now known as The University of Memphis) as she prepared to be a teacher. While in college she met lifelong friends Nancy, Gail, and Betty Ann.

Eleanor, also known as Mom, Momma, Mema, Meme, Aunt Eleanor and Mrs. Oliver, loved having her family and friends around her as often as possible. She always remembered special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays.

A fourth generation Cumberland Presbyterian, she married Alvin Oliver after meeting him on a blind date set up with the help of Rev. Don Reeves. They were married 59 years ago by her grandfather Rev. C.M. Zwingle and Rev. Blake Warren at Eastside Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Memphis. They lived most of their married life in Hendersonville, TN where they raised their six children – taking them to New Hope CPC, supporting the Hendersonville Fellowship as it began, later moving their membership to Beech CPC and then to St. Luke CPC. Over the years, Eleanor taught Sunday School, directed Vacation Bible School and was the first “uber” driver for the Oliver family shuttling children to ball games and practice, as well as band practice and events – and no one ever missed an event!!

She taught at West Memphis High School in West Memphis AR, Howard School in Gallatin, TN,  Nannie Berry School in Hendersonville, Hendersonville Elementary School (now known as Gene Brown Elementary), and Hendersonville Jr. High (later known as Hawkins). She taught until their second child was born, when she and Alvin decided she would stay home and nurture the children. Little did they know, they would have four more children. Always making her family the priority, she managed to substitute teach, work at Jan’s Hallmark, babysitting other children, and other jobs to support the family.

She is preceded in death by her parents and her sister Mary Woods McCoy Carrico, grandparents Rev. C.M. & Maude Woods Zwingle,  William John & Bessie Mabel Leland McCoy. Parents-in-law Alvin Bee and Mary Oliver, and brother-in-law Henry Oliver.

Left to cherish her memory, she is survived by her husband Alvin Oliver, children Rhea (Shelley) Oliver, Rev. Lisa Oliver, Bill (Heather) Oliver, Danny (Amy) Oliver, Beth Oliver, and Becky (Jay) Lamb. Grandchildren Lawson Oliver, Landon (Kasey) Oliver, Blake Sallis, Keaton Oliver, Alec Oliver, Spencer Medena, Austin Lamb, Savannah Lamb, Andreah Bryant. Great Grandchild Pierce Cooper. Lifelong friends Gail Findlay, Nancy Wilkison, and Betty Ann Underwood. Brother-in-law Reed Oliver. Several nieces and nephews, cousins and a host of family and friends.

Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, August 13, 2022. The family will receive visitors at St. Luke Cumberland Presbyterian Church from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM with the Memorial Service to begin at 11:00 AM in Madison TN with Rev. Taylor Young and Rev. Dr. Steve Louder officiating. The church is located at 901 West Old Hickory Blvd, Madison, TN 37115. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Loads of Love Laundry Ministry at St. Luke Cumberland Presbyterian Church in her memory and to honor all the loads of laundry she did to care for her family.

Arrangements by Lumen Cremation, 7978 Coley Davis Road, Suite 101, Nashville, TN, 37221 “Celebrating the light in everyone”

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