Mary Jo Watson Oliver
August 30, 1921 – March 12, 2016
GRAHAM – Mary Jo Watson Oliver, 94, went to be with her Heavenly Father on March 12, 2016.
A service will be at 2 p.m. March 17 at Eastside Church of Christ in Graham. A visitation reception will follow in the church foyer.
Jo Oliver was born on Aug. 30, 1921, in Bowie to parents, Mary Pauline Vickery Watson and Benjamin Ewing Watson. Jo was blessed with a wonderful youth, growing up in Bowie, the youngest of six children. Throughout her life she enjoyed the gifts of singing, playing the piano, theater and painting.
After high school, Jo attended Abilene Christian College. In 1943 she graduated from the University of Texas with a bachelor of music.
While attending UT, she met the love of her life, pharmacy student Walter Wood Oliver. The couple married in 1943 at the Riverside Church in New York City. After Walter left for service in the Navy during World War II, Jo taught music in the public schools. After Walter returned from the service, the couple moved to Graham and founded Oliver Drug, downtown on the square.
Jo and Walter loved building a business in Graham as well as participating in many civic efforts to benefit the city. Jo’s unique interest was in the Medicare aspect of their business which led to an expansion of the business to Oliver Drug and Medical Supply.
Of great enjoyment to Jo and Walter was their house and recreation on Possum Kingdom Lake. PK was a cherished place of relaxation and an opportunity to entertain friends and family.
One of the highlights of Jo’s life was to be involved with the development of Shawnee Springs Park in 1988. The transformation of the area into a beautiful park won the “Take Pride in America: Thousand Points of Light” award from the President George H.W. Bush Administration in 1989. Jo and Walter were delighted to travel to the White House to accept this prestigious award on behalf of all those who worked to achieve the project.
In addition, Jo will be remembered for her love of beauty, daffodils and daylilies. She was a founder of Graham’s Christmas Stroll and the Daffodil Festival. In addition, Jo was a long time member of the Graham Garden Club, Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Club and her church home, the Eastside Church of Christ where she especially enjoyed Ladies’ Bible Class.
Later in life, Jo enjoyed the artistic abilities of her grandchildren which included singing, theater and music. She actually felt somewhat responsible for their talents.
Other civic involvement included chair of the Young County Historical Commission, the board of the Bowie Educational Fund, and president of the Resident’s Council, The Plaza at Edgemere, 2015-2016, Dallas, Texas.
Jo was preceded in death by her husband, Walter, in 1991. She is survived by her children, Gail Turner and husband Gerald Turner, and Walter Oliver III and wife Mackie Oliver. Grandchildren include Angela Turner Wilson, Jessica Turner Waugh and Eric Oliver. Great grandchildren include Luke and Wyatt Wilson and Abby, Lexie and Charlotte Waugh. Also included are many cherished nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be sent to Eastside Church of Christ in memory of Mary Jo Oliver or City of Graham, Shawnee Springs Project c/o of City Manager, 429 4th St. Graham, TX 76450.
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