Ollie Fitzmorris McGillivary's Obituary
Ollie Lillian Fitzmorris McGillivary, daughter, mother, grandmother, and educator, well-known teacher, missions volunteer and wife, passed away on Saturday, December 15, 2018 at the age of 90. She was the daughter of the late Lawrence Casen (Loren) Fitzmorris and Larcie Lucille Bush Fitzmorris.
She was born in St. Tammany Parish, June 3, 1928. Her education began at Pilgrim Rest Elementary School. She and her two older brothers walked to and from school each day-about 2 miles each way, for over three years. When public country schools were consolidated, “Miss Ollie”, then attended Covington Elementary School, Lyon Elementary, Covington High School (Elmer E. Lion High School). After graduation from high school, she did her undergraduate work at Southeastern Louisiana University. She majored in music and elementary education. While at Southeastern, she was president of Future Teachers of America, a member of Phi Mu Alpha, Alpha Sigma Tau, Student Senate, Baptist Student Union and Publicity Editor of Louisiana Baptist Student Union.
She taught at Pearl River Elementary for half-a-year and a year at Lee Road Jr. High. Then she attended the University of Vermont graduate school. She furthered her graduate work at the University of Denver, University of Maryland, Shippenburg College of Pennsylvania, Los Medanos College and University of California, Berkley, California.
Other teaching positions include two years for the Department of Defense in the Far East, Pennsylvania, Florida, Washington, California and Louisiana where she retired.
“Miss Ollie” has loved teaching all of her life. She started early in her life teaching pre-schoolers in church Sunday School. Throughout her life, she worked in churches as a teacher and/or music director. As the wife of a naval officer, she did a lot of volunteer work. These included teaching on Indian Reservations in Oregon and Washington State. She worked with the Navy Relief, Red Cross, sponsoring Vietnamese Boat People and families and refuges from the iron curtain-Hungary. She taught English to the Foreign Wives at the Naval War College in Rhode Island, using the Laubach Method/Course. She ended her teaching career with the St. Tammany Parish School Board.
She felt her life was a blest one, having vast opportunities, many wonderful adventures and encountering countless numbers of incredible people.
She was a member of First Baptist Church of Covington, Eastern Star and the American Legion Auxiliary.
She volunteered at veteran’s hospitals, veteran’s homes, Forest Manor Nursing Home and Heritage Manor.
Survivors include a son, Dr. Philip Andrew McGillivary, who is a research scientist, lecturer and explorer; a daughter, Heather Kathleen Luster (Ron) who is a teacher, social worker and entrepreneur; two grandchildren, Jennifer Nicole Lee (Ethan) and the late grandson, Seth Philip Harner. She was the sister of Adrian, L.C., Willard, Jeron, Lucille and Glen Ray Fitzmorris. She is also survived by a number of nieces, nephews, family friends and former students, and sisters-in-law, Jean and Nancy Fitzmorris and Dot Southard.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral services at E.J. Fielding Funeral Home, 2260 W. 21st Avenue, Covington, LA 70433. A WAKE will be held on Wednesday, December 19, 2018 from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM. VISITATION on Thursday, December 20, 2018 is from 12:30 PM until 2:00 PM. A PRIVATE GRAVESIDE SERVICE WILL FOLLOW THE VISITATION at Pilgrim Rest Cemetery, Covington, LA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in memory of Mrs. McGillivary to be made to the Ollie McGillivary Endowed Scholarship in Education at Covington High School, Covington, LA or Louisiana Children Baptist Home or First Baptist Church of Covington, Covington, LA. E.J. Fielding Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Please sign the E.J. Fielding Funeral Home online Guest Book at www.ejfieldingfh.com.
What’s your fondest memory of Ollie?
What’s a lesson you learned from Ollie?
Share a story where Ollie's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Ollie you’ll never forget.
How did Ollie make you smile?
