Olive May Thomas, a longtime resident of Hollister, passed away on Saturday, October 20, 2007 in Lancaster, California. She was 98. Olive was born December 8, 1908, to William and May Campbell, early day pioneers of San Felipe and Hollister areas. She was born while the family lived in San Felipe on Lovers Lane and attended school in San Felipe and later in Hollister. While living in San Felipe, Olive and her family attended the quaint old “San Felipe Church” on Frye Lane. When Olive was eight years old, the family moved to Hollister, where they had one of the largest apricot and prune orchards in San Benito County. She had many wonderful years in Hollister before moving to Santa Cruz, where she resided until her retirement in 1979 from nursing. After her retirement ,she moved back to Hollister to be closer to family and friends.
She was a longtime member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Hollister and was involved in “Dorcas” from 1982-1993. She also belonged to the Grandmothers Club, 10-9’ers CB Club, AARP, Order of Eagles Ladies Auxiliary, President of the Practical and Undergraduate Nurses Association and Honorary Life Member USAF Air Defense Team.
“Nanny”, as she was referred to by many, is survived by the “loves of her life”, her granddaughters, Judith Tompkins and husband Berton of Euless, Texas; and Linda Bailey of Lancaster, California; great- grandchildren, Lori Reap of Euless, Texas; Shannon and Matthew Marshall; Matthew Harris and Maranda Nance, all of Lancaster, California; Jeremy and Kimberly Tompkins of Hollister and Shawn Tompkins of Tennessee; great-great-grandsons, Austin and Bailey Marshall and Lucas and Brandon Harris, all of Lancaster, California. She was preceded in death by her grandson, Robert Bailey, Jr. (1995); sister, Wilna Wilson (1998); daughter, Shirley Bailey (2001); and son-In-Law, Robert Bailey, Sr. (2003).
Her Lord Jesus, Family, Friends and the “San Francisco Giants” were the most important treasures in her life.She was greatly loved and will be missed by all who were touched by her love.
Memorial services will be held on Sunday, November 18, 2007 at 2 P.M. at Black Cooper Sander Funeral Home. Pierre Steenberg, Pastor of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, will officiate. Inurnment will be at the IOOF Cemetery immediately following the memorial service. Condolences to the family can be emailed to [email protected].
Donations are requested to the Seventh Day Adventist Church, 2121 Sunnyslope Road, Hollister, California.
