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Obituaries

 



                                                                          





        Raye Holman was welcomed into this world on February, 18, 1932 in Tucker, Oklahoma by her father and mother, Daniel Boone and Donnie Holman and three brothers: Aaron, Thurman and Hubert. Raye was not the only blessing that day, her twin sister Faye created a family of 7. Times were very tough during the depression and Oklahoma dust bowl and the family traveled to find work, returning to Sallisaw in the early 1940’s. Raye found her place in the one room schoolhouse where she started receiving awards for her studious efforts~she skipped 6th grade; traveled to Oklahoma City to receive an award from the Governor for an essay. After high school she accepted an offer to live with her brother Aaron and attend El Camino College in Torrence, CA. She said good-bye to the scholarship at OU and started on an amazing adventure. At El Camino, Raye blossomed as a college co-ed. Not just in school but in beauty. She joined a sorority, clubs, took on leadership roles and sometimes studied. She was crowned Empress of El Camino College in 1951 and was also on the TV show “Queen for a Day”. She started creating and sewing her own fashions – her granddaughter Kimberly wears one of her chic outfits. During this time Raye’s loving and nurturing qualities also blossomed as she took care of her brother Aaron, diagnosed with a brain tumor and grieved over the death of brother Thurman in World War Two. El Camino student Ken Oliver fell under Raye’s spell in 1952 after 1 date and he continued to woo her through letters during his US commitment to the war. They were married in Inglewood, CA on April 10, 1954. Ken chose a career in law enforcement~Glendora PD, California Hwy Patrol, and finally the FBI. Daughters Lisa & Alison were born in Glendora and Raye started packing up the family to follow Ken’s career. Butte, MT; Coeur d’Alene, ID; New Orleans, LA; Shreveport, LA welcoming daughter Stephanie; New Orleans, to welcome daughter Kendra; Vienna, VA; Silver Springs, MD; Gallup, NM; Tempe, AZ; Seattle, WA; and finally Ft. Worth, TX. Along the way she showed her strength under pressure and instilled confidence and a can-do attitude in her daughters. Because of Ken’s work & travels – she took care of it all! Through chicken pox, Hurricane Betsy, Ken’s love for inviting guests for dinner, budgeting, no transportation, contractor for building a house, sewing her children’s clothes, packing, moving, decorating, illness and loss just to name a few.

            Her devotion and love for her husband and children were clearly evidenced and are a lasting legacy to them and her grandchildren. Her warmth, laughter, and cooking skills created & kept friends all across the United States. But most will remember her epic Thanksgiving dinners. Family, whether related or not was the cornerstone of her heart. We are all the better because of it and cherish the memories of our time spent together.

            Raye Oliver departed from this world on October 21, 2016. She is survived by her husband of 62 ½ years, Kenneth S. Oliver. Twin Sister Faye Holman Miley. Daughters Lisa Barron (Alan); Alison Benton; Stephanie Lewis (Jeff); Kendra Preston (Mike). Grandchildren Logan Barron, Kimberly Barron, Anthony Preston, Melony Preston, Rigel Benton (and his father Vernon Benton), Casey Lewis, Elizabeth Preston, Dakota Lewis, Kyle Preston.  Nephews Dale Holman, Eddie Holman, Bill Holman, Robert Miley, Daniel Miley, Donald Miley, Scott Zbinden, Ric Zbinden, Randy Zbinden and Niece Cathy Holman Fine. Numerous great nephews and nieces and great-great nephews and nieces. She is predeceased by her mother, father, brothers, brother-in-law Richard Miley and sister-in-laws Betty Holman and Penne Zbinden.
           Funeral service will be Tuesday, October 25, 2016 at 10 am at Agent Mallory Martin Chapel in Sallisaw.  Burial will follow at Sallisaw City Cemetery under the direction of Agent Mallory Martin Funeral Home in Sallisaw.
          Visitation will be Monday from 1 - 8 pm at Agent Mallory Martin Funeral Home in Sallisaw.  The family will greet friends from 6 - 8 pm.

 

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