Sarah Elizabeth Raynor Olive, 98, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 9, 2025. The Raynor's immigrated from England to the United States in the early 1600's, 9 generations before Sarah's birth on May 2, 1926 to Leon Wiley Raynor and Pearl Enelson Cooke Raynor. She was raised on a farm in Four Oaks, North Carolina with three brothers and one sister.

Farm life was not her passion and growing up, Sarah longed for a city life. One of her most enjoyable times was living in Wilmington as a young teenager. Sarah was very social, loved dressing up for any occasion, and being the center of attention.

Sarah graduated from Four Oaks High School on May 27, 1945. Toward the end of World War II, Sarah met and married McAdoo Olive in a whirlwind romance. They celebrated 55 anniversaries until McAdoo's death on July 23, 2001. Over the course of their marriage, they welcomed 3 children, 9 grandchildren, 15 great- grandchildren and 8 great-great grandchildren.

She proudly told all she could that she had 5 generations of family. As newlyweds they lived in New Hill, North Carolina. In 1955 they bought their first and only home in Historic Oakwood. She worked as an administrative assistant at Westinghouse in the 1950's and 1960's and then worked from home as a bookkeeper for Olive's Plumbing started by her husband, McAdoo Olive. Sarah loved her country, was patriotic, and believed in doing her civic duty. She did not miss a single election and worked the voting poles for decades.

Sarah and McAdoo enjoyed an active and social retirement. They loved NASCAR and traveled to many races in their RV. In addition to traveling, the couple never missed a graduation, wedding, family reunion, or funeral for their many friends and family. Following the death of her husband, Sarah continued to be very active within the community and visited the local Senior Center almost daily where she was also named volunteer of the year in 2006. She lived independently in her Historic Oakwood home until she was 97 years old. Sarah loved to sit on the front porch and talk to her neighbors as they walked past or worked in their yards and thought of several as her own family.

Sarah is survived by her 3 children, Kenneth Olive and wife Marilyn of Maysville, Patsy Olive of Raleigh, and Thomas Olive and wife Debbie of Raleigh; 9 grandchildren, Ken Olive (Bridgette), Misty Olive, Paris Penny, Chris Olive (Julie), Miranda Olive, Brooke Miller (Andrew), Chet Nedwidek, Brett Nedwidek, and Sarah Megan Olive; 15 great-grandchildren, Michael Jenkins, Thomas Jenkins, Brianna Strickland (Jared), Victoria Paige Penny, Olivia Lee (Taylor), Jacob Olive, Christopher Paul Olive, Scarlett Olive, Anna Marie Olive, Eliza Tant, Harmony Nedwidek, Scotlynn Owens, Dalton Owens, Bradley Olive, and Alex Olive; 8 great-great-grandchildren, Graci Jenkins, Braylon Rhodes, Bryson Jenkins, McKylee Jenkins, Kashton Strickland, Emma Jenkins, Eleanor Lee, and Josie Strickland. Sarah is preceded in death by her parents, Leon and Pearl, brothers, Norman Raynor, Charles Raynor, and Robey Raynor, sister, Irene Raynor, and husband, McAdoo Olive.

The family will receive friends Friday, January 17, 2025 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Montlawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park followed by a service celebrating Sarah's life at 11:00 am in the chapel. Burial will follow with Sarah being laid to rest beside her beloved husband.
The family appreciates the care provided by Bella Rose Nursing and Rehab. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given in Sarah's memory to Meal's on Wheels of Wake County.