Gailya Yvonne Oliver's Obituary
Gailya Yvonne Oliver, a deeply loved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and lifelong educator, passed peacefully into the arms of her Savior on May 9, 2025, at the age of 86. Born on July 3, 1938, in Konawa, Oklahoma, to Orville Mart Robnett and Sybil Choate Robnett, Gailya’s life was a beautiful reflection of grace, kindness, faith, and quiet strength.
After graduating from Lutcher Stark High School in Orange, Texas, in 1956, she went on to earn a degree in Elementary Education from Lamar University. She later completed her Master’s degree at Stephen F. Austin University—proof of her lifelong belief in learning and growing. Gailya’s calling as a teacher was more than just a career—it was a ministry of love. From her early days at South Park ISD, to her years teaching at the Wee Learn Center at First Baptist Church, and finally her long tenure at Pine Tree ISD, she nurtured and encouraged hundreds of young minds. Her students were more than pupils—they were her mission.
But her greatest joy, by far, was her family. She met the love of her life, Bill Oliver, shortly after he returned from Army service. They married in 1958, and together built a life grounded in love, laughter, faith, and simple joys. Their home was a place of warmth, with the smell of homemade meals, stacks of books, and the sound of children playing. Gailya was fiercely devoted to her children, Kent and Shanna, and poured her heart into being a mother. Later, she found immense joy in being “Grans” to her grandchildren—and most recently, to her two great-grandsons, Kooper and Knox, who brought her boundless happiness in her later years.
Friendships were an essential part of Gailya’s life. She treasured the relationships she built over the years, whether with lifelong friends, fellow teachers, or her church family. Her friends became like extended family, and she put as much care into her friendships as she did in nurturing her own loved ones. Through the years, she shared her love of reading with the members of the Belle Lettres Book Club, where she enjoyed not only books but the rich, lifelong friendships that came with them. She also found joy in the camaraderie of her bridge clubs, where the laughter, conversation, and connection around the card table filled her heart. Whether it was traveling, sharing a meal, or simply being present, Gailya was the friend everyone could count on—always there with a listening ear, a warm smile, and unconditional support.
After retiring, Gailya embraced travel, exploring the world with Bill and friends, and treasured trips with her sisters and her mom. Her heart was full of shared experiences, and her friendships gave her life its richness and depth.
Her generous heart extended beyond her family and classroom. Through her involvement with the HZ chapter of P.E.O., she worked to uplift and empower women through education. And whether gathered at a bridge table or a Sunday school class at First Baptist Church, Gailya was a quiet but steady presence—faithful, kind, and deeply sincere.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Orville and Sybil Robnett; her sister, Sharon Robnett; and her beloved grandson, Hayden Scott Smith.
Left to carry her love forward are her devoted husband of 66 years, Bill Oliver; her children, Kent Oliver and his wife Becki, and Shanna Smith and her husband Scott; her grandchildren, Brennan and Ryan Smith, and Tucker and Kandace Oliver; and her precious great-grandchildren, Kooper and Knox. She is also survived by her brother, Nathan Robnett, and sister, Brenda Robnett Delord, as well as a wide circle of nieces, nephews, extended family, and dear friends who were blessed by her steady presence.
A celebration of her life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at Ford Chapel at First Baptist Church in Longview. All who knew and loved her are welcome to attend and share in remembering the light she brought to this world.
Though Gailya has gone home, her spirit remains—in the lives she shaped, the stories she told, the friendships she nurtured, and the love she gave so freely. She was a quiet force of goodness in the world, and we are all better for having known her.
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