Mrs. Jean Oliver Drotor

July 15, 1930 - December 7, 2020

Jean Oliver Drotor, 90, died peacefully in her sleep in her own home on Monday, December 7, 2020. She was born in 1930 in Cooley Springs, South Carolina to Clyde Alton and Berlie Smith Oliver and married to Harry Windell Drotor of Spartanburg, SC. As an active and supportive military wife of a US Army officer and pilot, they traveled across the country for over 20 years with their children, often returning to Columbia when Harry’s tours of duty took him outside of the country. Jean returned to the family home in Columbia with her children upon Lt. Colonel Drotor’s sudden and unexpected passing. Never one to feel sorry for herself, she enrolled in the Mature Students’ Program at the University of South Carolina to complete her college education earning a Bachelor of Arts degree at the golden age of 50! Having been a volunteer and weekend worker for the American Red Cross, upon graduation Jean began working full time as a caseworker for the Emergency Community Services Program of the Central South Carolina Chapter of the American Red Cross. During her collective 45 years of service, Jean received numerous certificates of appreciation for assisting with disaster relief efforts and was awarded The Spirit of Excellence Award for training volunteers. Jean was twice the recipient of the Tiffany Award for Employee Excellence, yet it was the dozens of letters and cards from her many clients expressing their appreciation of her kindness and compassion that she treasured most. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband, her sister, Nancy O. Coleman; her brother, Bobby R. Oliver and favorite sister (in-law), Elaine Seay Oliver. She is survived by her children, Harry (Hal) Drotor of Georgetown, Deborah Drotor of Columbia, Pamela Madigan of Charlottesville, Virginia, and Robert Kent Drotor of Atlanta, Georgia. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, grand and great-grand nieces and nephews, who lovingly knew her as “Grandma Jean”. The family wishes to thank Nita Hatcher for the love and care she gave to our mother. They ask that Mrs. Drotor is remembered with donations to the Harvest Hope Food Bank, 2220 Shop Rd, Columbia, SC 29201 or the charity of one’s choice. A graveside service will be held at 12 o’clock noon on December 19, 2020 at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 7100 Garners Ferry Road, Columbia, SC 29209. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road chapel is assisting the family. Friends and family will be invited to her Celebration of Life at a later date.