Olive Davison: 1920-2013

Olive, together with her twin sister, was born in New Buckenham on 31 January 1920 and attended the local school there. She was taken to Carleton Rode Baptist Church, where her parents were members, and where in fact her ancestors have been traced back to 1814, two years after the Church was built.

On leaving school at the age of 14 years, Olive and her twin went into service, with separate families in Norwich and, when not able to get home at weekends, would worship at what was then St Mary's Baptist Church in Norwich.

Olive was baptised at Carleton Rode in 1935 and received into membership. Once old enough she took up nursing training in Norwich. After a period of time, she met her husband Peter and they were married at the Chapel on 29 September 1945.

All nursing training then came to an end and she settled into married life, living in Carleton Rode, and in due course became a devoted and dearly loved mother to their five children, whilst continuing to worship regularly at the Baptist Chapel there.

Once the family became less dependent, Olive was able to spend more time with Church activities and was responsible for booking speakers for the Ladies Fellowship meetings; helping make the tea and also preparing the Communion table etc. and putting the hymn numbers on the board. She was not an 'up front' person but would work quite happily and quietly in the background.

In her final days Olive suffered from dementia and spent the final three months of her life in residential care and went to be with her Lord on 21st October. She is survived by her husband Peter, five children, 13 Grandchildren, 20 Great Grandchildren and her twin sister, all of whom loved her dearly.

A service to celebrate her life was held at Carleton Rode Baptist Church on 8 November.