Mary Alene Olds

Alene was a woman of great strength and perseverance. She lived determined to embrace life through every circumstance. She entered the world just before the devastating effects of the Great Depression began in 1929. Although her parents were both from Cookeville, TN, Mary Alene was born in Detroit, MI on November 11, 1928. Her parents, Oakley Taylor and Willie Bertha (Roberts) Thomas had come up to Michigan to find work. Alene was their firstborn and, after her birth, her parents got homesick and headed back to Cookeville. Work was hard to find anywhere. Oakley was willing to chop trees and pick cotton, but he couldn't support his family, so back to Detroit he went to find more stable work. Willie and Alene stayed in Cookeville, living in a small home with a dirt floor while Oakley stayed with relatives who had already moved to Detroit. Oakley stayed with them for two years while he saved enough money to send for his wife and Alene. Alene's brother Averil joined the family in 1935, followed by Bill in 1938 and Judy in 1943. They lived on the east side of Detroit and became very involved in the Eastown Church of Christ. As a schoolgirl, Alene was teased for wearing homemade clothes and shoes with the toes cut out - instead of handing shoes down to the next child, her father just made more room for his childrens' growing feet! Times were hard for most families but the Thomas spirit persevered. Oakley cared enough for his family that he risked what few possessions they had, secured a loan, and owned a Texaco service station. Oakley's station, on McNichols Street, eventually evolved into a mechanic's garage called Thomas Auto and Electric (the station was purchased by Averil in 1970). Alene remembered how her brothers spent much of their time working at the station. She spent her time enjoying sports, especially basketball and field hockey. Upon her high school graduation, Alene and her friends decided to celebrate by taking a road trip to California. Alene had fond memories of that trip as it was quite an adventure filled with challenges and obstacles. After high school, Alene worked as a secretary for Country Day School and also at a local department store. Work was important, but her main focus was her family and involvement with Eastown Church of Christ. Spending all that time at church paid off, as she eventually met the man she would marry there. She and Keith Eugene Olds were wed on February 3, 1950. Keith was working for Misco (later known as Howmet Corp.) and when the company president, Ted Operhall, asked him to relocate to the Whitehall Plant, the young couple packed up and looked forward to the new adventure. By that time, their daughter Mary was one-year-old. Their second daughter, Cindy was born in 1955, and three years later, Keith joined the family. When Keith was two, he fell down the stairs, injuring his left eye after breaking a mason jar. Alene, always cool headed, got Keith from Whitehall to Hackley Hospital with the help of neighbors, who to this day remember the drama of that day. The family lived in rural Whitehall, near the Michillinda Resort, and took full advantage of the area. In the winters they skated on White Lake, and tapped the Maple Trees. In the old cast iron stove in the garage they boiled the sap and turned it into delicious syrup. The summers were spent out in their huge garden, canning, and teaching her children to swim. They put an old log in Duck Lake to use as a diving board. The kids would jump off and swim to Alene who stood on the shore with open arms. One Valentine's Day, Alene packed up the kids and her homemade, individually wrapped, frosted cookies and headed to a Valentine's party in Muskegon. It didn't matter there was an ice storm, Alene was determined to go to Muskegon, but they only went as far as a ditch. On the bright side, her children had a couple dozen cookies to eat! In 1963, Keith was transferred again, this time to Muskegon. There they bought a new home in a new subdivision just around the corner from Evanston Avenue Church of Christ. Alene loved her church even before they relocated and she was thrilled with the opportunity to get more closely involved there. In 1965 their last child was born, Thomas, rounding out the family to two boys and two girls. After Thomas was in school, Alene became the church secretary. Later she would work as a Para-Pro for Muskegon Public Schools. Alene was as devoted to her family as she was to her church. Alene loved being involved with the kid's school, the PTA, attending their music and sports events, and planning memorable vacations and camping trips. In a repeat of her childhood, she made beautiful clothes for her children, and they, like her, longed for "store bought" clothes! Sundays were spent with church friends and family enjoying Alene's delicious Sunday Dinners. They also stayed in touch with their extended Southern family, going "South" to Detroit every month. They were so bonded with their family that the children found it painful to say goodbye every time they left. When the kids were grown, Alene enjoyed developing relationships with her grandchildren. She and Keith made a point of taking one, just one, of their grandchildren on their vacations. Keith would drive and Alene would read, all her grandchildren remember her wonderful reading of the book, "Where the Red Fern Grows." Just as she did with her children, she attended as many of her grandchildrens' activities as she could. After retiring in the mid-80's, the two of them enjoyed traveling throughout both the United States and Europe. Too soon, Keith developed significant health problems. Keith passed away in 1993. Worn out from caring for her husband, Alene herself became ill. She battled various illnesses related to rheumatoid arthritis and other health complications. Despite losing many of the physical abilities of her youth, her wit, kind heart, and unfailing love for friends and family was always present. Mary Alene Olds was loved and admired by all who knew her. She was loving, generous, wise and Godly. She gave of her time, her talents and her possessions to anyone in need. Alene will be remembered as both a listener and a doer of the Word. She will be dearly missed by all those who knew and loved her. Mrs. Mary Alene Olds, age 77, deeply loved wife of the late Keith Eugene Olds, Sr. went to be with her Lord & Savior Jesus Christ, and passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Sunday, May 7, 2006. Survivors include: 2 sons, Keith (Tammie) Olds of Whitehall & Thomas (Jodi) Olds of Kalamazoo; 2 daughters, Mary (Scott) Goetz of Houston, TX & Cindy (Brad) Young of Muskegon; 11 grandchildren & 7 great grandchildren; 1 sister, Judy (Bob) Nash of Brentwood, TN; 2 brothers, Averil (Wilma) Thomas of Shelby Township, MI & Bill(Jean) Thomas of Sterling Heights, MI; many nieces, nephews & great nieces & nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, & her husband, Keith Eugene Olds, Sr. in 1993. Services will be held on Wednesday, May 10, 2006, 1:00 PM at the Clock Muskegon Chapel. Interment at Sunrise Memorial Gardens. Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family on Tuesday, 7-9 PM & Wednesday, 1 hour prior to the service at Clock Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers the family asks that contributions be made to Beechwood Hills Camp in Hopkins, MI. You may sign the online guest book at www.lifestorynet.com