Olive Blythe was born June 7, 1907, in Paragould, Arkansas. Olive had three brothers, Harold, Russell, and Addison Long, and two sisters, Frances Tipton and Alice Ward, all deceased. She gave her heart to the Lord when she was ten years old and was a strong Christian throughout her life. The family moved to El Paso, Texas in March 1922. On March 19, the entire family joined First Baptist Church. Olive was a graduate from El Paso High School, then earned bachelor and master's degrees at what is now UTEP and taught for 31 years in the El Paso and Ysleta School Districts. Her late husband of 69 years, Wadsworth, was a rancher, and a sheet metal worker for the Southern Pacific Railroad. He rose in union ranks to become the General Chairman, Sheet Metal Workers International, AF of L, CIO. Olive sang in the church choir and was active in many church organizations. She taught adult Sunday School for 25 years and was a member of the Paisano Baptist Encampment Board of Directors. In the 1980's she was selected for the Wall of Honor at First Baptist. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, an associate member of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, and a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was named D.A.R. Church Woman of the Year in 1984. Olive has one child, Mariwyn, who is married to James P. Maloney. She has three grandchildren: Patricia and husband, John Light; James Maloney; and Michael Maloney and his wife, Diana; seven great grandchildren: Jennifer and husband, Ben Spead; Stephen Light; Mariwyn Light, Shannon Maloney; Ariana Maloney; James Maloney; and Joseph Maloney; and two great-great-grandchildren: John and Mark Spead. On June 7, 2007, Olive, her family and her church family celebrated Olive's 100th birthday. Olive died in the home she designed and loved on September 8, 2007, attended by her daughter, other family members and caregivers. The epitome of a " Good and Faithful Servant ", Olive Blythe will be greatly missed. Visitation will be held on Friday, September 14, 2007 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Martin Funeral Home West. Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, September 15, 2007 at 11:30 AM at First Baptist Church, 805 Montana. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions will be made to: First Baptist Church of El Paso Foundation, 805 Montana Ave., El Paso, TX 79902 or Paisano Baptist Encampment, P.O. Box 973, Alpine, TX 79831, Attn: Buddy Baldridge. Interment will be private. Services entrusted to Martin Funeral Home West, 128 N. Resler Dr., El Paso, TX 79912.
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