Oveta Maddox Driver, 58, a longtime Dothan resident formerly of Thorsby, left her earthly body on Wednesday, June 8, 2011, returning home to be with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

While her body succumbed to cancer, her faith in Christ only multiplied. Now Oveta will spend eternity in heaven yet remaining forever in the hearts and minds of those whose lives she touched.

Oveta spent her final days in the Southeast Alabama Medical Center where she had also been employed for over 30 years. She loved working at SAMC and considered its employees to be her extended family. Oveta also took great pleasure being a member of Rehobeth Baptist Church. She especially valued those precious moments with her dearest husband whether they were on trips to the mountains or just around town. She was an irreplaceable and remarkable soul who will be sorely missed.

Oveta was preceded in death by her parents, S.E. Maddox and Chlora Smith Maddox.

Survivors include her teenage sweetheart and beloved husband of 40 years, Jerry Driver of Dothan; sister, Patricia Littleton (Billy) of Thorsby; brother and sister in-laws, Bobby (Mag) Driver of Mobile, Freddy Driver of Mobile, Donald (Carolyn) Driver of Washington State, Larry (Priscilla) Driver of Dothan; treasured nieces and nephews; very special friend, Linda Foran of Dothan; and two cherished pets, Webster and Casey.

Services honoring Oveta’s life will be held 3 p.m. Saturday, June 11, 2011, at Pate’s Chapel Baptist Church in Jemison with the Rev. Travis Free and the Rev. Clint Harris officiating. Burial will follow in Pate’s Chapel Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Friday at Sunset Funeral Home and from 2-3 p.m. on Saturday at Pate’s Chapel Baptist Church.

Flowers are being accepted at Pate’s Chapel Baptist Church in Jemison or memorial donations may be made to Rehobeth Baptist Church, Children’s Ministry, 4444 South County Road 59, Rehobeth, AL, 36301.

Robert Byrd of Sunset Memorial Park Funeral Home directing (SunsetMemorialPark.com).