Obituary of Beth Bell Olson

View Memorial Tribute Funeral services for Beth Bell Olson, 88, are scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Sunday, June 7 at the Highland Presbyterian Church, Tyler, with the Reverend Scott Mackey officiating. Burial will be at Bradford Cemetery in Troup, under the direction of Cottle Funeral Home, Troup. Mrs. Olson died Thursday, June 4, 2009 at Christopher House in Austin, TX surrounded by her three daughters. She was born January 10, 1921, in Cherokee County, TX to Charlie and Jewel Stallings Bell. Mrs. Olson was valedictorian of her 1937 Troup High graduating class, and she attended Texas Woman's University in Denton, TX. She married Neil P. Olson of Kilgore, TX on May 23, 1943. He preceded her in death on November, 10, 2006. In their 63 years of marriage they enjoyed square dancing, round dancing, and ballroom dancing. Together they taught square dancing to teens and adults. They also enjoyed traveling including cruises and trips to: Australia, Alaska, England, Sweden, Caribbean, Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, and all around the U. S. In addition, they enjoyed visiting every county in Texas and taking all 254 courthouse pictures. One of Mrs. Olson's favorite activities was oil painting. Along with her many award winning paintings, she also did the mural on the side of McAlister Printing in Kilgore, TX. Many of her ideas for painting came from their travels and time residing in Trinidad. Survivors include: daughters Neilya Olson McKenzie and husband Orie of Atlanta, GA., Gayla Olson Harris of Austin, TX, and Karen Olson Pippin and husband C. B. of Stephenville, TX; grandchildren Shawn McKenzie and wife Heather of Atlanta, GA., Michelle McKenzie Price and husband of Mansfield, TX., and Bryant Pippin of Dallas, TX.; great grandchildren Caitlyn Creel and Aidan McKenzie of Atlanta, GA., and Jordan Price and Jim Price of Mansfield, TX. Pallbearers will be Gayla Olson Harris, Orie McKenzie, C. B. Pippin, Jr., Richard McCormick, Bryant Pippin, Chris Price. The family will receive visitors at Highland Presbyterian Church, Tyler on Saturday, June 6, from 6:30 pm until 8:00 pm. Memorials, if desired, may be made to Highland Presbyterian Church, 3101 Paluxy Drive, Tyler, Texas, 75701, where she was a member for 30 years.