Kathryn Ray White
ATHENS, Tenn. -- Kathryn R. White, beloved wife of W. Larry White for 32 years, died on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2008, in an automobile accident on the Interstate near her home in Athens, Tenn. A service will be held on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Athens at the Ziegler Funeral Home (visitation 5-7 p.m.), and a memorial service is planned for Friday at 3 p.m. at St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church in Aiken. The family will receive friends at the church after the service in Aiken. Mrs. White was born Kathryn Richmond Ray on May 19, 1950, in Clinton, Iowa, a daughter of Elizabeth K. Ray and the late Dennie E. Ray Jr. of Aiken. She taught in the Aiken County schools. She had lived in Athens for more than 20 years. A longtime employee of the Internal Revenue Service in Chattanooga, she received recognition for compassion as well as efficiency. She was a graduate of Aiken High School (1968) and the University of Wyoming (1972). Besides her husband and mother, her survivors include her sister, C. Claiborne Ray of Brooklyn, N.Y.; her brother, Stanford E. Ray (and Cynthia) of Sumter, and their children, Deanna R. Guyton of Raleigh, N.C., and Samantha Leigh Ray of Seymour, Tenn.; her aunts, Ruth R. Ray and Harriet H. Smith; her first cousins, Monta Jean Ramirez-Smith and Franklin S. Smith; and many other cousins, nieces and nephews. The family suggests contributions to Aiken SPCA or another charity.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Sad News - Cheryl Olsen's Mother
Crystal Andreasen Olsen
Crystal Andreasen Olsen of Aiken went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008. Born in Bay Ridge Brooklyn, N.Y., on July 30, 1918, to Norwegian immigrants Andreas Arthur Andreasen and Andrea Larsen Andreasen, Crystal was additionally welcomed by her one and only sibling and lifelong friend, Evelyn Grace. Her loving childhood family life revolved around the Norwegian Evangelical Free Church. She attended New York City public schools and graduated from Business College. For five years, Crystal commuted by subway to work on Wall Street in Manhattan where she was employed as a comptometer operator for the Waterworks Company of New York. In the summer of 1936, Crystal met Lloyd Thomas Olsen, a fellow Norwegian and member of a sister church, while attending a church camp meeting. When he heard her name, he exclaimed, "With those bright sparkling eyes, your name is very appropriate!" The couple courted for five years. Wedding bells rang out on Oct. 25, 1941.
Within the next decade, Crystal moved seven times. Her four beloved children were each born in a different state: eldest daughter Crystal Marie in Morgantown, W.V., son Lloyd Thomas Jr. in Richland, Wa., daughter Karen Andrea in Wilmington, Del., and youngest daughter Cheryl Lynn in Martinsville, Va.
Lloyd's assignment with DuPont as supervisor of construction of the "bomb plant" at SRP brought Crystal, kids, kitty cats and collie dog to Aiken on Jan. 2, 1952. This lovely Southern town turned out to be the perfect place to make a home and raise a family. Crystal was a faithful steward of her time, talents and money. As a woman of God, she joyfully gave to her family, church and community.
As a faithful member of Aiken First Baptist Church, Crystal taught Sunday school, sang in the Sanctuary Choir, lead Vacation Bible School, joined Missions Round Table/Circle Group, directed the Young Women's Auxiliary and supported Acteens Mission Group. Crystal's God-given gifts shone through her longtime participation with the Hostess Committee where she served others in times of sorrow and celebration. Crystal grew especially close to her dear friends and sisters in Christ in the Barbara Smith Sunday school class. Crystal's community involvement through the years included the Lioness Club, the Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary, the Mended Hearts Club, Country Gardeners, Town and Country Club, Sunday-Monday Club, A.C.T.S., Aiken County Republican Party, PTA and booster club. Throughout her lifetime, Crystal cultivated a beautiful garden of friendships and nurtured a strong love throughout her family. She delighted in entertaining guests and was a renowned hostess and cook. Her Norwegian pancakes, cookies and wedding cakes were her specialty.
She shared her numerous needlework creations with her friends and family. She was also a fitness example, avid walker, golfer, sports enthusiast and bridge player. Crystal and Lloyd, the love of her life and husband for nearly 50 years, traveled around the world. They ventured to destinations such as Greece, Italy, China, Israel, Germany, France, India and Hawaii. Among the many countries they visited, the most meaningful journey was to Norway, "The Land of the Midnight Sun" birthplace of their parents. Crystal is preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Andrea; her sister, Evelyn and her husband, Lloyd. She is survived by her children, Crystal Marie Swann and spouse, John Swann, L. Thomas Olsen and wife, Sheryl Olsen, Karen Andrea Edwards and spouse, James Edwards, and Cheryl Lynn Rafter and Richard Rafter; and 20 grandchildren who called her "Grandma Crystal;" and 16 great-grandchildren who call her "Bestemor," the Norwegian name for Grandmother, commemorate her life. "Miss Olsen" is also honored by her loyal, hardworking friend and honorary family member, Lester Hollingsworth.
The memorial service to celebrate the life of Crystal A. Olsen will be held on Sunday, Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. in the sanctuary of the First Baptist Church of Aiken. The members of the Barbara Smith Sunday school class will serve as honorary pallbearers at her memorial service. The family will receive friends in the church parlor following the ceremony.
Even in death she exemplified a life of servant hood. As requested, her body was donated to the Medical College of Georgia for organ and tissue transplants and for medical research.
Memorials may be made to: First Baptist Church for Missions, 120 Chesterfield St. N., Aiken, S.C. 29801, 648-5476; The Salvation Army, 322 Gayle Ave. N.W., Aiken, S.C. 29801, 648-0461; and Regency Hospice, 105 Summerwood Way, Suite D, Aiken, S.C., 20803, 648-2117.
Crystal Andreasen Olsen: joyfully hospitable - creatively industrious - faithfully virtuous - remarkably optimistic
Crystal Andreasen Olsen of Aiken went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008. Born in Bay Ridge Brooklyn, N.Y., on July 30, 1918, to Norwegian immigrants Andreas Arthur Andreasen and Andrea Larsen Andreasen, Crystal was additionally welcomed by her one and only sibling and lifelong friend, Evelyn Grace. Her loving childhood family life revolved around the Norwegian Evangelical Free Church. She attended New York City public schools and graduated from Business College. For five years, Crystal commuted by subway to work on Wall Street in Manhattan where she was employed as a comptometer operator for the Waterworks Company of New York. In the summer of 1936, Crystal met Lloyd Thomas Olsen, a fellow Norwegian and member of a sister church, while attending a church camp meeting. When he heard her name, he exclaimed, "With those bright sparkling eyes, your name is very appropriate!" The couple courted for five years. Wedding bells rang out on Oct. 25, 1941.
Within the next decade, Crystal moved seven times. Her four beloved children were each born in a different state: eldest daughter Crystal Marie in Morgantown, W.V., son Lloyd Thomas Jr. in Richland, Wa., daughter Karen Andrea in Wilmington, Del., and youngest daughter Cheryl Lynn in Martinsville, Va.
Lloyd's assignment with DuPont as supervisor of construction of the "bomb plant" at SRP brought Crystal, kids, kitty cats and collie dog to Aiken on Jan. 2, 1952. This lovely Southern town turned out to be the perfect place to make a home and raise a family. Crystal was a faithful steward of her time, talents and money. As a woman of God, she joyfully gave to her family, church and community.
As a faithful member of Aiken First Baptist Church, Crystal taught Sunday school, sang in the Sanctuary Choir, lead Vacation Bible School, joined Missions Round Table/Circle Group, directed the Young Women's Auxiliary and supported Acteens Mission Group. Crystal's God-given gifts shone through her longtime participation with the Hostess Committee where she served others in times of sorrow and celebration. Crystal grew especially close to her dear friends and sisters in Christ in the Barbara Smith Sunday school class. Crystal's community involvement through the years included the Lioness Club, the Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary, the Mended Hearts Club, Country Gardeners, Town and Country Club, Sunday-Monday Club, A.C.T.S., Aiken County Republican Party, PTA and booster club. Throughout her lifetime, Crystal cultivated a beautiful garden of friendships and nurtured a strong love throughout her family. She delighted in entertaining guests and was a renowned hostess and cook. Her Norwegian pancakes, cookies and wedding cakes were her specialty.
She shared her numerous needlework creations with her friends and family. She was also a fitness example, avid walker, golfer, sports enthusiast and bridge player. Crystal and Lloyd, the love of her life and husband for nearly 50 years, traveled around the world. They ventured to destinations such as Greece, Italy, China, Israel, Germany, France, India and Hawaii. Among the many countries they visited, the most meaningful journey was to Norway, "The Land of the Midnight Sun" birthplace of their parents. Crystal is preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Andrea; her sister, Evelyn and her husband, Lloyd. She is survived by her children, Crystal Marie Swann and spouse, John Swann, L. Thomas Olsen and wife, Sheryl Olsen, Karen Andrea Edwards and spouse, James Edwards, and Cheryl Lynn Rafter and Richard Rafter; and 20 grandchildren who called her "Grandma Crystal;" and 16 great-grandchildren who call her "Bestemor," the Norwegian name for Grandmother, commemorate her life. "Miss Olsen" is also honored by her loyal, hardworking friend and honorary family member, Lester Hollingsworth.
The memorial service to celebrate the life of Crystal A. Olsen will be held on Sunday, Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. in the sanctuary of the First Baptist Church of Aiken. The members of the Barbara Smith Sunday school class will serve as honorary pallbearers at her memorial service. The family will receive friends in the church parlor following the ceremony.
Even in death she exemplified a life of servant hood. As requested, her body was donated to the Medical College of Georgia for organ and tissue transplants and for medical research.
Memorials may be made to: First Baptist Church for Missions, 120 Chesterfield St. N., Aiken, S.C. 29801, 648-5476; The Salvation Army, 322 Gayle Ave. N.W., Aiken, S.C. 29801, 648-0461; and Regency Hospice, 105 Summerwood Way, Suite D, Aiken, S.C., 20803, 648-2117.
Crystal Andreasen Olsen: joyfully hospitable - creatively industrious - faithfully virtuous - remarkably optimistic
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