Carolyn Sue Oliver

Carolyn Sue Oliver, age 85, of Jackson, Ohio, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, after a brief illness. Carolyn left this world surrounded by the children she adored.

She was born June 5, 1940, in Jackson, Ohio, the first-born daughter of Gerald “Fuzzy” and Ola McKinniss. She was a graduate of Jackson High School Class of 1958. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her high school sweetheart, her husband of 54 years, Evan L. “Sonny” Oliver, Jr, whom she had married December 26, 1957; father-in-law, Evan L. “Red” Oliver; mother-in-law, Helen Coyan Oliver; sister, Judy McKinniss Meldick; brother-in-law, Robert Oliver; sister-in-law, Ruby Poe Oliver; sister-in-law, Betty Lou Oliver Damron; brother-in-law, Jerome Damron; and infant sister-in-law, Carolyn Esther Oliver.

Sonny and Carolyn were blessed with three precious children who survive: Richard “Rick” (Glenna) Oliver, of Jackson, Ohio; Kelli (Teddy) Oliver Mullins, of Jackson, Ohio, and Steven “Randy” (Rhonda) Oliver, of Lancaster, Ohio; and one self-proclaimed stepson, Jon (Mary) McMillen, of Jackson, Ohio. Also surviving are seven grandchildren: Jason and Joshua Ross, Tara Oliver Fisher (Chad Brown), Brandi (Elliott) Sarnowski, Ryan (Katelin) Oliver, Logan (Danielle) Mullins, and Lydia Mullins; along with twelve great-grandchildren including her newest, four-month-old, Bennett Mullins. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews and her constant companion, her beloved cat Moki Jo.

Carolyn worked a variety of different jobs throughout her life, including owning/operating her own clothing store in the mid-1970s, Carolyn’s Style Shoppe, across from the courthouse. She spent several years working with her husband at the license bureau in Jackson. After he retired in 2001, she then began working with her son, Randy (or Ponch, as she called him), at the license bureau in Lancaster from where she eventually retired.

Carolyn so looked forward to going to paint class at the senior center every week where she had gone for at least the last twenty years. She loved spending time with her friends there and hated to miss. She loved writing poetry in her spare time and has won awards in contests for a few. Karaoke was a favorite pastime of hers, and she recorded herself singing with her grandkids. Four years ago, her kids thought it would be fun to take a pizza to Mom’s and play board games. That became a weekly ritual of dinner and Aggravation that she absolutely loved, looked forward to every week, and was very disappointed anytime we ever had to cancel. She spent most days snuggling her cat, Moki Jo, reading, watching HGTV and the Food Network, and scrolling the internet. She loved to go shopping but had not been able to do much in the last couple years due to health issues. She deeply loved the Lord and was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church for over 40 years. Carolyn absolutely loved her children and her family; they were her whole world. She had a generous heart and was loved by so many. She will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved her. She is finally reunited with the love of her life, her beloved Sonny, her parents, her sister, and her precious Grandma Myrt.

Calling hours will be from 12:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at the Lewis & Gillum Funeral Home in Jackson, with the funeral service following at 3:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Fairmount Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent to www.lewisgillum.com.