Obituary of Olive Gene McIlwain

Funeral services for Olive Gene McIlwain, age 93 of Columbia, Louisiana will be held at 10 AM Thursday, April 26, 2018 from the sanctuary of the Church of Christ, Columbia, Louisiana with Rev. Danny Sidders officiating. Interment will follow at Welcome Home Cemetery, Grayson, Louisiana under the direction of Riser and Son Funeral Home. The family will receive visitors on Wednesday, April 25 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the church.

Olive Gene McIlwain was born in Hosston, Louisiana on March 6, 1925 to the union of her parents, Oliver and Lillian Grant and she passed from this life on April 22, 2018 at Haven Nursing Center, Columbia, Louisiana. Gene graduated from Caldwell Parish High School in 1941 and over the years worked hard to keep her classmates connected. She planned reunions throughout the years and was recognized by her class for her hard work and dedication. She was a talented artist and had her work shown at numerous venues. She gave of her time to volunteer at the Masur Museum and work with the NELA Arts Council. Gene was an active member of the Church of Christ in Columbia until her health prevented her from attending. She was greatly loved by her family and she will be sorely missed. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald C. McIlwain; Sr., grandson, Matthew Neil McIlwain; daughter-in-law, Charlotte McIlwain; her parents and all her brothers and sisters.

Left to cherish her memory are her sons: Gerald C. McIlwain, Jr. and wife, Kitty; Robert O. McIlwain and wife, Gaylne and Ronald G. McIlwain and wife, Judy; her ten grandchildren: Ellen, Jennie, Susanne, Jim Bob, Lisa, John, Paige, Lorie, Mark and Melissa, and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Jim Bob McIlwain, Tanner McIlwain, John McIlwain, Cole McIlwain, Mark McIlwain and Aidan McIlwain.