Mrs. Barbara Bankhead Oliver

Barbara Bankhead Oliver died peacefully on July 18, 2018. She was born November 6, 1927, in Jasper, Alabama, the third daughter to Emelil Crumpton and Walter Will Bankhead. She began high school at Walker High before completing her degree at Stephens in Columbia, Missouri. Following in her mother's footsteps, she attended Shorter College in Rome, Georgia, where she was active in many clubs, including drama (performing in several plays), and was voted "Most Versatile" by her classmates. After four years at Shorter, Barbara left for travels abroad, exploring much of Europe and South America, then moving to New York City to work and study dance. During her travels, she wrote beautiful, long letters home which were treasured by her parents and saved for her children to read and enjoy years later. Having returned to Alabama in 1952, she married John Thomason Oliver Jr. and, after two years in New Jersey at Fort Monmouth, the couple came back to Jasper which became their lifelong home. As the mother of five children, Barbara was an amazing multi-tasker for her household, and a marvelous cook and hostess who still found time to lead Brownie and Scout troops, while acting as "room mother" in the elementary schools. She helped to prepare countless spaghetti and pot-luck meals for suppers in the parish house at St. Mary's Episcopal Church where she served on the altar guild and founded the annual Valentine Coffee fundraiser which continues today. She was a member of the Consensus Club, and a tireless volunteer at "The Nearly New Shop" which benefitted those in need in the community.

Not only did Barbara manage the home front, she also oversaw activities at the family's house at Smith Lake, making sure there were meals to feed a crowd, driving the boat for water-skiers, and packing picnics to be shared. A devotee of dance and physical fitness, Barbara was the first person to bring aerobic exercise to Jasper and taught classes for many years at St. Mary's Church. From the time she was a young girl, Barbara loved all animals. She took in many stray dogs, gave them a home, or found one for those she couldn't keep. Among her most beloved friends were her dogs: Fritz, Paddy, Sassy, and Buckwheat. Whenever tragedy struck, Barbara was strong in the face of a crisis, always there to lend support in whatever way she was able. When asked how she withstood the misfortunes she faced with her offspring, her answer was "I still have all of my children." Travel adventures were something Barbara and John enjoyed with friends and with family, regularly to New York City (visiting museums, art galleries, restaurants, seeing Broadway shows), to Europe, and other parts of the United States. Summers often meant piling the children into the station wagon for vacations, making unforgettable memories with laughter and singing along the way. She and John began making trips with cousins to Ireland in the 1970's and built a house in west County Cork, "Rossbrin Cottage" on Roaring Water Bay near Balleydehob, in the 1990's. They were never happier than during visits to their cottage by the sea with its breathtaking view, seeing friends they had made in this special place, and welcoming family for vacations. Barbara loved her family mightily, and we are grateful for her extraordinary life.

Barbara was preceded in death by her siblings, Blossom, Sis, and John; and a grandson, John Thomason Oliver IV.

She is survived by her husband of 65 years, John Thomason Oliver Jr.; her children, Melissa Oliver, Beth Oliver Ballentine (Blake), Rebecca Oliver Haines, John Thomason Oliver, III (Jean), and William Bankhead Oliver (Jo); her grandchildren, Henry Hoke Perkins (Sarah), Malcolm Oliver Perkins, Kevin Thomas Lehner, Alexander Kent Haines (Andrea), Lillian Brockman Haines Sharp (Shawn), Charles Bankhead Haines, Davis MacLeod Haines (Leeann), William Rives Oliver, Sara Frazer Oliver, Simon Fuller Oliver, Laura Adelaide Oliver, and Camille Peebles;and her great-grandchildren, Joel, Haddie and Dalia Haines, and Cora Gilly.

The family would like to acknowledge Louise Williams, Sarah Clay, Tammy Griffin, Sue Wright, and Billie Henderson for their exceptional care and companionship for Barbara.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 28, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church in Jasper, Alabama, officiated by the Rev. Robin Hinkle, with a reception in the fellowship hall immediately following the service. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 801 The Trace W, Jasper, Al. 35504, or Hope for Women, P.O. Box 2128, Jasper, Al. 35502.