Obituaries

Ira Lee Scaife Olloway known to many as “Ike,” was born to the late Ira Lee Scaife and Aloise Hampton on March 8, 1936 in Poplar Grove, Arkansas. She transitioned to her eternal home March 15, 2025 surrounded by her loving family.

Ira Lee confessed a hope in Christ at an early age at Star of Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, Poplar Grove Arkansas. She later joined Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church, Southland Arkansas where she sung in the choir and served faithfully on the Mother’s Board until her health declined.

Ira Lee attended school at Dyse Rosenwald Elementary and Oneida Junior High, where she completed the 8^th grade. She later furthered her education by receiving her GED from Phillips County Community College in 1975. She worked as a Teacher’s Assistant at Mid – Delta Head Start for thirty-two years. She retired in 2000, but returned to the workforce as a part-time Substitute Teacher for Head Start. She again left the workforce in 2018 to provide care to her ailing husband; Malvin “Pop” Olloway.

Ira Lee was united in Holy Matrimony to the late Malvin Olloway for sixty-five years. To this union eight children were born, only one preceded them in death; Debra Ann Olloway. She is also preceded in death by her parents, two siblings, a grandson; Dahrron Moss, and two great grandsons; Dalvin Franklin and Rayshad Olloway.

Leaving seven children, three daughters and four sons to cherish her loving memory; Zearner (Roosevelt) Collins, Sr., Denise Olloway, Pamela Olloway, Gilbert (Evelyn) Olloway, Sr., Ray Olloway, Sr. all of Southland AR, Xavier (Shelia) Olloway of West Helena AR, Stanley (Brendra) Olloway of Horn Lake MS, two special friends; Albert Haynes, Jacqueline Fleming and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Ira Lee was loved and respected by all who knew her. She will truly be missed.