Guardian

The Old Governor's Mansion

Olivia at the front door, The Old Governor's Mansion, Milledgeville (39) years of her life dedicated to Georgia College, its first families and The Old Governor's Mansion at Milledgeville.

During Olivia's watch the mansion served as the home for presidents of Georgia State College for Women, the Women's College of Georgia, Georgia College and since 1996, what is now, Georgia College & State University.

As Guardian and Tour Guide, visitors, tourists and guest of honor to the Old Governor’s Mansion, had nothing but praise for Olivia's work.

During her tenure, Olivia faithfully served five College Presidents and their families.

Dr. Guy H. Wells

Dr. Henry King Stanford
"The whole Stanford family joins me in this warm expression of our best wishes to you"

Dr. Robert E. Lee

Dr. J. Whitney Bunting
"In our estimation no historical residence has ever been so properly managed as the Old Governors Mansion"

Dr. Edwin G. Speir, Jr.
"Your dedicated service has helped to maintain stability of enrollment and support services as well as high educational quality at Georgia College."

The National Trust for Historic Preservation has a logo of an eagle guarding our heritage.

If ever the Mansion had a guardian, it has been OLIVIA. She has earned that title through her dedication. For 39 years her dependability has been constant.

Always in attendance when expected, ever punctual, and thoroughly cognizant of her duties, she has set her own standards of excellence.

This has been evident to the casual tourist, local residents, and members of the Georgia College family.

Her position will be filled, but Olivia will not be replaced! Certainly we could all learn "Pride of Place" from this Special person.

In the minds of those of us who have known Olivia through the years, here is a poem dedicated to her.

This poem was written to commemorate Olivia's work and includes the names of the five presidents, under which she served: Wells, Stanford, Lee, Bunting and Speir.

Thank you all for so many wonderful memories.

Olivia

Only thirty-nine years at the Mansion ---

How can it be?

For she is a WELLSpring of knowledge for all to see.

She STANds for duty, constancy, and loyalty.

LEEding the way she wears the BUNTING proud for G. C.

May she SPEIRhead into retirement with the same vitality.

Last but not least, my father, Otis Edward Thomas was proud of his loving wife and chef.

An Extraordinary Lady and Guardian.

Olivia was a dedicated community worker and served with the following local organizations.

Eastern Star

Sons of Wisdom Daughters of Light

Wesley Chapel AME Church

Sallie Davis Foundation

Milledgeville Heritage Foundation

One of the last from her generation of “A Very Precious Few”.

I bet her maintaining so well had to do with her recipes.

May God bless and keep us and may our lives and work, continue to speak highly of us.

Her son,

Art


The Historical Parade

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