Ellen May Oliver

Ellen Parr May Oliver, 77, of Columbia, died January 7, 2012. Born April 10, 1934, in Louisville, Kentucky, she was raised at the Maywood estate in Madison, Indiana. Her parents were the late Dr. George A. May and Mrs. Mildred S. May. Mrs. Oliver graduated from Wellesley College, majoring in history and the history of art. She was the glorious wife, for 55 years, of Wade Hampton Oliver of Columbia, great grandson of Wade Hampton III.

Ellen Parr was renowned for her intellect, taste and enormous compassion. After graduating from Wellesley College, she campaigned for and successfully reinstituted biblical history back into the core curriculum. Upon the death of her first son, Wade, she turned for support to the church. After moving to Columbia in 1969 to assist her husband in starting a kitchen business, Hampton Kitchens, she helped to integrate First Presbyterian Church and then Eastminister Presbyterian Church by sponsoring international students. Her service to the Lord also included being a Deacon, Mission committee chairman, Sunday school teacher and participating in the Women of the church to name a few. As a contract bridge double master, Ellen Parr adored teaching the nuances of the game at Eastminster Presbyterian Church and playing at the Columbia Bridge Club. Her strong Christian faith, tenacious love of husband and children were her most fundamental values. A consummate southern lady, she nonetheless led her generation into modernity, supporting her children through graduate degrees.

She served herself as President Jewel Manufacturing, and aided as senior executive in several other family enterprises. Her wisdom, insight and generosity of spirit will be missed by all.

She was the mother of Mary May Oliver Boeckel (Bruce) of Fresno, California, April Ann Oliver (Jay Schulkin) of Mercer Island, Washington, and George Hampton Oliver (Beth) of Columbia; she was predeceased by her son Wade Hampton Oliver II. She is the proud grandmother of seven grandchildren: David H. Boeckel, Benjamin G. Boeckel, Danielle A. Schulkin, Nicholas O. Schulkin, Rexroad H. Oliver, Wade S. Oliver, and Kate P. Oliver. Her brother is Dr. George Arthur May of W. Newton, Massachusetts.

Friends and family are invited to the Oliver’s home, 1305 Westminster Drive, Friday evening January 13th between 5 p .m. and 8 p.m. A memorial service will follow 11 a.m. Saturday at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 3200 Trenholm Road, Columbia with Dr. Bradley D. Smith officiating. Private burial at Elmwood Cemetery will precede the service. After the service the family will gather in the church parlor to greet attendees. Shives Funeral Home is assisting the family. Memorials may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 1237 Gadsden Street, Suite L, Columbia, SC 29201 and Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 3200 Trenholm Road, Columbia, SC 29205.

The children want to thank Beth, George, Sarah, Susie, Helen, Eloise, Gwen and Debbie for lovingly caring for Ellen Parr’s passage into the Lord’s Kingdom.