Oleta Lavere Williams Griffith, age 86 of Ellijay, GA, passed away peacefully with her family on Friday, April 8, 2022 at Parkside Center for Nursing & Rehabilitation in Calhoun, GA.

Oleta was born on December 11, 1935 in Borden Springs, AL, daughter of the late William Frank Williams and Nellie Sue Williams Hulsey. In addition to her parents, Oleta was also preceded in death by her husband, Edward Wilbur Griffith in 2019, and  seven siblings. Oleta is survived by: one sister, Janice Ragan of Talladega, AL, two sons, Tom Griffith and his wife Mistil of Ellijay, GA and Mike Stephenson of Calhoun, GA; two daughters, Wayna Guirl and her husband Jim of Simpsonville, SC and Tonya Siniard and her husband Hugh of Cartersville, GA; seven grandchildren, Adam Griffith, Michelle Hitchcock, Chris Guirl, David Guirl, Stephen Guirl, Ashton Wood Russell, and Cameryn Wood; three great-grandchildren, Brandon Hitchcock, Andrea Hitchcock, and Billy Guirl.

Her father, Frank, was a tobacco and cotton farmer. Her mother, Nellie Sue “Sutie,” owned a restaurant and was the Postmaster for Esom Hill, GA. Oleta was an accomplished seamstress, and owned a custom fashion shop in Mableton, GA with her friend Erika, a Swiss fashion designer. Prior to her retirement she worked for Cartersville City Schools as the cafeteria manager for over 20 years. She loved to cook, and developed her own recipes for the school. It is said that the high school principal practically cried the day she retired, her fried chicken was so good! She took care of many elderly people in need, driving them to their appointments and even taking them out to lunch.

Family and friends gathered for Oleta's Celebration of Life at her daughter Tonya Siniard's home in Cartersville, GA on Sunday, May 1, 2022.

In lieu of sending flowers, a donation can be made to the Alzheimer's Association, at  https://www.alz.org/, and then click DONATE. If you prefer, you can call  1(800) 272-3900.■