Olivia Frances Lanier Ladd

Olivia F. Lanier Ladd was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, June 20, 1929. She was born to Mother, Bettie Lanier and Father, Leroy Lanier, who both preceded her in death. Olivia had five brothers, Ozzie, Leroy Jr., Edward, Earl and Alex; and two sisters, Mayo and Mary. All of her siblings preceded her in death. Olivia Lanier Ladd was a graduate of Howard University, Washington, D.C. After college, in 1954, she married Carlton Julian Ladd. Born to this union were two daughters: Sheriee Ladd Shanklin (George) and Karlin Ladd-Dunlop. Olivia has five grandchildren: Sherron Rogers (Tyrone), Ronald Moore (Cristina), Marcus Dunlop II, William Dunlop, Joshua Dunlop. Olivia has three great grandchildren: Tannon J. Rogers, Dylan J. Rogers, and Erik J. Moore. Additionally, Olivia has nieces: Desiree Crawford and Lexine Langley (Fred), Barbra Ladd, Cynthia Ladd, Loris Ladd; nephews: Bobby Lee Cox (Carol), Elliot Cox, David Ladd and a host of great nieces and nephews and cousins including Esther Lee, Geneva Hassell and James Smith. Olivia retired from Indianapolis Public Schools, where she served as a school teacher for thirty-one (31) years before retiring in 1989. Olivia was a member of Northside New Era Baptist Church for 65 years. Olivia was a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She was initiated at Alpha Chapter Howard University. Olivia was an outstanding gardener and seamstress and a beautiful piano player. She valued helping others and dedicated many resources to not-for-profit organizations whose purpose is to help improve the lives of others. She was often admired for the unique hats she designed to wear to her grandchildren’s various sporting events. Olivia loved traveling across the country. Olivia loved returning to Bethlehem Pennsylvania to see family. She accompanied her grandson, Ronald, to Utah to support his AAU basketball league. Additionally she traveled to Kansas and Texas to support her grandson, Joshua, and his football teams. Olivia loved her family immensely. She always had “treats” saved for her family, often items she purchased because they had special meaning to her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Special thanks to her friends Sandy Anderson, Cynthia Johnson, Irma Farthing, Deacon and Sister McCain, Deacon and Sister Littlejohn, and Kenneth and Sandy Parker, for their steadfast kindness throughout the years.