Ouachita Baptist University trustee Betty Oliver, a 1958 OBU alumna and lifelong supporter of the university, passed away April 9 at age 79. Mrs. Oliver, who served 58 years in various leadership roles with Arkansas’ Cooperative Extensive Service, was the longest-serving employeeacross the entire University of Arkansas System.
She began her career with the Cooperative Extension Service in 1958 after graduating from Ouachita. She started as an assistant Home Demonstration agent in Miller County and over the decades served as Pulaski County extension staff chair for the U of A Division of Agriculture. After retiring from that position, she worked at the extension service headquarters in Little Rock as volunteer coordinator in Family and Consumer Sciences.
Mrs. Oliver, who previously served two three-year terms as a member of the Ouachita Board of Trustees, was elected last fall to serve another three-year term. She also was recognized last fall as the honoree for the 20015 Stepping Up for Ouachita luncheon, an annual event that has raised more than $350,000 in scholarships for female students since its inception. The Stepping Up program noted that “Betty Oliver has a work ethic you can count on. For the last six decades, she has spent countless hours dedicated to serving others.”
“All who have known Betty Oliver through the years are experiencing the deep loss of a very special lady and a dear friend,” said OBU Interim President Charles Wright. “It has been my pleasure to know Betty for more than 50 years, having been a fellow student with her at Ouachita.
“Those of us who have experienced the blessing of her presence in our lives have known her to be not only an exemplary and successful professional in her field, but also a person with a servant’s heart,” Dr. Wright reflected. “She was always caring and loving, generous and gracious and always committed to making life better for others.”
“I have known Betty since 1979,” said Terry Peeples, OBU vice president for development. “Betty Oliver was one of those ladies who was involved in activities that mattered: First Baptist Church of Little Rock, OBU’s Board of Trustees and helping other through her Home Extension Service work, among many others.
“Her positive spirit and energy were contagious to all who encountered her,” Peeples added. “She will be greatly missed but her legacy will live on through the students she will continue to educate through her endowed scholarships.”
According to Anne Sortor, associate director of Family and Consumer Science and 4-H/Youth Development for the Cooperative Extension Service, “There are no words to fully describe the depth and breadth of Betty’s influence and contributions to Arkansas. What she gave to her colleagues and constituents, she gave from her heart. We will miss Betty deeply.”
Mrs. Oliver served as president of the Arkansas Association of Home Economists and vice president of the national association. One of her most valued awards was for housing work she conducted in Lonoke County. She was one of only three people to receive the award nationally. She also was inducted into the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame in 2003.
Other honors included the Arkansas Home Economics Outstanding Education Award and the Sister Pierre Vorster Award for Outstanding Volunteer. She also was honored in 2014 by the Arkansas Gerontological Society for her volunteer services to those age 65 and older. She was a member of the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Committee and the Arkansas State Fair Board of Directors. A longtime member of First Baptist Church of Little Rock, she sang in the choir and served as a group leader in her Bible study class.
Mrs. Oliver is survived by Robert “Bob” Oliver, her husband of almost 53 years, as well as several nieces and nephews and extended family members. After the death of her twin brother, Billy Ferguson, the Olivers established the Ferguson-Oliver Twins Scholarship to provide financial assistance to Ouachita students who are twins. They also established the Robert D. and Betty F. Oliver Endowed Scholarship in honor of their parents, Henry E. and Annie E. Oliver and Lester B. and Dora C. Ferguson.
Visitation will be held Monday, April 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church of Little Rock. A memorial service celebrating her life will be held Tuesday, April 12, at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church. A graveside service will follow at 2 p.m. at Bluffton Cemetery in Bluffton, Ark.
Memorials gifts may be made to Ouachita Baptist University, the University of Arkansas, First Baptist Church of Little Rock or the charity of your choice.
