Sara Fowlkes Oliver

Sep 21, 2021 | Obituaries, Obituaries 2021 | 3 comments

Sara Fowlkes Oliver, of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away peacefully on September 18, 2021. Sara’s memorial service is set for Saturday, Oct 23rd at 2:00PM. and will take place at

St Andrew’s Episcopal Church

6401 Wornall Terrace

Kansas City, MO 64113

The service will be live-streamed at: www.standrewkc.org

There will also be a memorial service at Bishop Spencer Place at a date to be determined.

Mrs. Oliver was born July 29, 1926 in Richmond, Virginia, the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Carroll Harris Fowlkes. She graduated from The Collegiate School in Richmond and The College of William and Mary. She was a member of The Junior League of Kansas City. Sara very much enjoyed her years as a docent at The Nelson Atkins Museum, as a volunteer at The Crippled Children’s Nursery School (now, Children’s TLC), and was active in The Performing Arts Foundation. She was a member of St Andrew’s Episcopal Church where she taught Sunday school and served on The Altar Guild. Mom, will be most remembered for her Southern grace and charm, and her understated inner strength. We never grew weary of hearing “bless your precious heart” and “I am ever so grateful”.

Sara is preceded in death by her husband, Neale H Oliver. She is survived by her daughter, Rebecca Harcourt Oliver of Kansas City, her son, Randolph Oliver and his wife Martha Linscott Oliver of Prairie Village, KS, their daughter Abigail Oliver of New York, NY, and their daughter and son-in-law, Annie and Reed Pankratz of Westminster, Colorado.

The family would like to, here, express their gratitude to the staff at Bishop Spencer Place for the years of loving, intentional, and grace-filled care for Neale and Sara. The names are far too many to list and deeds too numerous to recount. But, know we are eternally grateful. In addition, we give thanks for the thoughtful care provided by Crossroads Hospice.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Bishop Spencer Place Benevolent Care Fund 4301 Madison Ave, Kansas City, Missouri 64111.

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David Oliver

1 year ago

Dear Rebecca and Randy, So many wonderful memories of your mother – and your whole family. Visiting with her was always such fun because she was so positive and interested in what was going on. She was so proud of both of you. I know you’ll miss her but she lived a good, long life. She was the definition of a gracious lady and her best qualities live on in you and yours. Condolences, David

Barbara Fay

1 year ago

I first became acquainted with Sara when my parents, Ed and Betty Lee, moved to Bishop Spencer Place in 1997. Over the 20 years that my mother lived there, Sara was always a bright, genteel, and sweet lady. I was delighted to be with her in 2020 when she was recognized as a 75 year member of Pi Beta Phi. My sympathy to the family.

Teddi Oppenheimer

1 year ago

Sara was such a gracious hostess and a gentle soul. A true Southern lady.

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