Auritus Ford Oliver

Auritus Ford Oliver celebrated her 99th birthday on July 28. She was with her family who shared with their mother and grandmother, a traditional birthday of cake and gifts. On Aug. 4, 2011 she claimed the gift for which she lived her entire life, the gift of eternity. Born in Little Cypress, Ky., in the year of 1912 to Artis and Luta Ford. She moved to Berkley, Mich. at the age of 10, making Berkley her permanent home until the age of 82, at which time she moved to Cabot, Ark. to join her children. For the past five years she has resided in Searcy, Ark. She was preceded in death by her brothers George M. Ford, Raymond Ford and Louise Ford Snider. Auritus Ford Oliver graduated from Berkley High School in 1929 at the age of 17 during the same time that her father, Artis Ford served on the Berkley School Board. Auritus married William H. Oliver in 1932 and together they raised their family of three children in Berkley, Michigan. They were married for 60 years, until William's death. Together they had three children, George and Joy (Vinson) Oliver, of Searcy, Ark. where he is a professor at Harding University; Kay (Oliver) and Robert Rogers of Cabot, Ark., retired from Ford Motor Company; William C. and Sandra (Phillips) Oliver of Little Rock, Ark., retired as Provost from Northwood University, Dallas, Texas. Auritus has seven grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren. She and her husband were two of the four charter members of the Royal Oak Church of Christ, where they both were faithful active members. Both were active in the early years of Rochester College and the Luckett Academy as providing education avenues for young people became a focus. Both continued to support Christian education until the time of their deaths and have a scholarship at Harding University in their honor. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any memories be contributed to the William H. and Auritus Oliver Scholarship, Harding University, Searcy, Ark. 72149. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Kinsey Funeral Home, Royal Oak, Mich. Visitation will be Sunday, Aug. 7 from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Funeral services will be Monday, Aug. 8 at 11 a.m. at the Royal Oak Church of Christ.