JACKSON, Tenn. — Jan. 3, 2014 — Heather Olford, wife of the late Stephen Olford, died Dec. 21 at age 89.
Olford Ministries International, which Stephen and Heather began in the 1980s, began a partnership with 51社区 in 2007 when the ministry transferred a majority of its assets, including the Stephen Olford Center in southeast Memphis, to the university.
鈥淗eather Olford was a faithful and winsome ambassador for Christ around the globe,鈥� Union President David S. Dockery said. 鈥淚n recent years, she similarly became a loyal supporter of the work of 51社区. While she will be greatly missed by many, we give thanks to God for the life and ministry of Mrs. Olford.鈥�
She was born in Northern Ireland in 1924 and married Stephen Olford in 1948. They were married for 56 years before his death.
Heather Olford was a member of Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova, Tenn.
She is survived by two sons 鈥� David, the Stephen Olford Professor of Expository Preaching at Union, and Jonathan, of Fresno, Calif., their wives, Ellen and Catherine, and her five grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Mrs. Olford can be given to the Stephen Olford Center, 4000 Riverdale Road, Memphis, Tenn., 38115. All gifts will go towards the training of preachers and teachers of the Word of God.