Celebrating the life of
Elizabeth Reid Oliver
Passed away on March 28, 2026
Elizabeth Reid Oliver, age 86, passed peacefully on Saturday, March 28 after a protracted illness. The oldest of five children, she was born in Atlanta and moved to Savannah at age 13, where she graduated from Savannah High School in 1957. After attending Armstrong College, she enjoyed a varied career that included work with Clement Evans & Company, IBM Corporation, Citco, and an adventurous stint as a flight attendant for Delta Airlines before working with her husband in their family-owned business – Shaef’s Pest Control – which she ran after his death until the time of its sale.
In her twenties, Elizabeth lived in Atlanta with her best friend, Sandra Fowler. For decades thereafter, Elizabeth proudly displayed her Judo Certificate from a class that she and Sandra took on self-defense.
Community service was a lifelong pursuit for Elizabeth. She devoted many hours to supporting charitable organizations, from serving on boards (Florence Crittenden Home, Kiwanis Club of Savannah, Parent and Child Development Services, Riverview Health and Rehabilitation Center) to chairing various committees at arts organizations, including the Community Children’s Theater, and tutoring for the Adult Literacy Program. Elizabeth was a member of the Junior League of Savannah and the Savannah Bridge Club and was an active and faithful member of her church community.
Elizabeth was very politically active. She volunteered for many local, state, and national campaigns, as well as the Chatham County Democratic Committee, and was awarded the 2003 “Yellow Dog Democrat” in Chatham County.
She was known for her strong (some might say “feisty”) personality. She traveled extensively both in the U.S. and abroad and enjoyed reading, participating in her book club, and attending lectures. Elizabeth taught bridge, was a seamstress, a master gardener, and, later in life, a potter.
Elizabeth is preceded in death by her parents, Felix Calloway Reid Jr. and Hannah Tatton Jones Reid, and her husband, James Wise Oliver. She is survived by her devoted children, James R. Oliver (Kathy Forest) of Arlington, VA; Mary Catherine Oliver, of Savannah, GA, and Sherri (Steve) Resor of Metairie, LA., as well as her beloved grandchildren James Tatton Oliver, Gabriella Elizabeth (aka Bella) OliverSmith (Joe Nazareth), Georgiana Grace (aka Gigi) OliverSmith; and Greer Marguerite (aka Maisy) OliverSmith and step-grandchildren Matthew Chamberlain and Thomas Chamberlain, of Arlington, VA. She is also survived by her dear siblings, Hannah Mackenzie (Bill dec.) of Coppell, TX; Catie (Michael) Strickland, of Troy, AL; Felix (aka Buddy) (Cris) Reid, of Bridgewater, VA; and Mary Jo (Bill) Dukes, of Athens, GA and many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews.
The family would like to thank the staff at Azalealand Nursing Home, Coastal Care Partners, and Hospice Savannah for their loving care of Elizabeth in her final years.
Friends and family are invited to services at Bonaventure Cemetery (section A188) on Saturday, April 11, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. Signage will be posted to direct you to the site. A reception will follow at The Union at Savannah Station at 12:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The American Heart Association, and Elizabeth would want you to vote.
Elizabeth was one of our yogis at Senior Citizens on Bull Street. I will always have fond memories of our conversations before and after class. So sorry for your loss.
- Kate Doran, Savannah, GA
My deepest condolences...
- Scott Brantley (nephew, son of Catie) , Montgomery , AL
Elizabeth was a passionate member of the CCDC. She was dedicated to supporting good candidates that worked to strengthen our democracy. My sincere condolences to her family.
- Gwendolyn Fortson Waring, Savannah , Georgia
Liz was a truly wonderful aunt and outstanding person. My deepest condolences.
- Paul Brantley (nephew), Seattle, WA
The Olivers were neighbors of ours at Montgomery for many, many years. I always enjoyed my conversations with Elizabeth. We were definitely like-minded. My sincere condolences to her family and friends. Cheers to a life well lived.
- martha swindelle, Savannah, GA
Elizabeth was one of a kind and a dear person. I remember her encouragement and support of me as a single parent. She could always make me smile with her witty comments. Catherine, you are on my.mind and in my heart.
- Laura Walker, Savannah, Georgia
She lived life intensely and with great purpose and I was privileged to have known her. The world was a far better place for her having been in it and I hope that she rests in peace.
- Beth Kinstler, Tryon, nc
Tom and I have such fond and wonderful memories of our times with Elizabeth at St. Paul's Episcopal over the years - she was kind, caring, interesting, and joyfully straightforward! We will miss her. God rest her soul and may Light Perpetual shine upon her.
- Johnathon Barrett and Thomas White, Savannah, Ga
What a rich,full life our dear Elzabeth led, and how privileged I am to have known her as she completed her collection of saucy sayings and hilariously witty, pithy, and deeply wise "pearls" of wisdom. In her memory, I shall always cherish knowing that " South Carolina is too small to be a state and too large to be an insane asylum." Thanks for showing us how it's done, Liz!" See you on the other side!
- Sally Rountree Klein, Savannah, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
- Graveside Service
- 11:00 a.m. on Sat, April 11, 2026
- Bonaventure Cemetery
-
330 Bonaventure Road (map)
Savannah GA 31404 - 912-651-6843
