Lesta Oliver

Lesta Oliver, age 96 years, a resident of Cypress, Illinois, passed away Monday morning, May 1, 2017, at 5:50 AM at Massac Memorial Hospital. Lesta was born December 26, 1920 near Cypress. She was the daughter of Noah and Sarah (Sickling) Sexton. On August 20, 1936, Lesta was united in marriage to Herschel Oliver at Belknap. He preceded her in death on April 2, 2010. Lesta is survived by: 3 sons – Carrol Oliver of Cypress, Darrel Oliver (his wife, Helen) of Hampshire, and Gerald (his wife, Phyllis) Oliver of Vienna; 10 grandchildren and several great and great-great grandchildren. In addition to her parents and husband, Lesta was preceded in death by: a son – Gregory Dale Oliver; a daughter – Linda L. Dunn; a daughter-in-law – Sharon Oliver; a son-in-law - Donald Dunn; 3 brothers – Otto Wilson, Vernie Sexton and Thelbert Sexton; and 2 sisters – June Riley and Stella VanMeter. Lesta was a homemaker and had been employed in a hosiery manufacturing plant in Kankakee. Lesta also worked as a cook at the Cypress Grade School and as a clerk at both Lentz Store and Green’s Store in Cypress. Lesta attended the Cypress United Methodist Church. She was a member of the former Cypress Chapter Order of the Eastern Star. Lesta enjoyed making a variety of handcrafts, including sewing, knitting, crochet and quilting. She was also an avid reader, gardener, enjoyed camping and fishing. Lesta is fondly remembered for love of yard sales and for her devotion to her beloved family. A funeral service honoring the life of Lesta Oliver will be conducted Saturday morning, May 6, 2017, at 11 AM at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. Pastor Kenny Baker will officiate. Burial will be in the Cypress Cemetery. Visitation will be conducted from 10 AM – 11 AM Saturday at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter, 320 East Walnut Street, Suite A, Carbondale, IL 62901, American Cancer Society, 4503 W. DeYoung Street, Suite 200C, Marion, IL 62959 or to the American Heart Association, 3316 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, IL 60674.

Lesta Oliver

December 26, 1920 - May 1, 2017