Mrs. Oleta Wilson Tays, age 88, passed away Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at Mitchell-Hollingsworth Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Florence.
The funeral service will be Friday at 1:00 p.m. at Elkins East Chapel Funeral Home. Stan Dean will officiate. Burial will follow in the Bluewater Cemetery. Visitation will be prior to the service, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Mrs. Tays was born on April 19, 1920 in Lauderdale County to the late Lee and Dessie Wilson. She was a longtime resident of Elgin Crossroads and was a dedicated community worker. She also was a member of Pleasant Valley Church of Christ. Mrs. Tays was a graduate of Lexington High School, Florence State Teachers College, and George Peabody College in Nashville, Tennessee.
She was formerly employed by the Lauderdale County School System for 39 years, and for 36 years she was a beloved first grade teacher at Elgin Elementary School.
Mrs. Tays was preceded in death in 2006 by her husband of 65 years, Hassel Tays and in 2007 by her brother, Mailon Wilson.
Mrs. Tays is survived by her son, Dwight Lee Tays, and wife Suzanne, and grandson, Justin Tays, all of Nashville, Tennessee; brother Paul Wilson and wife Empress, Killen; nephews, a niece, and a host of other relatives and friends.
Pallbearers will be Don Wilson, Rex Wilson, Jeff Wilson, Mike Tays, Jerry Mitchell, and Patrick Hardesty.