Olif Elizabeth Ready Register

On the morning of December 17th, 2023, in Lakeland, Florida, our beloved mother and grandmother passed from this world into the Kingdom of God. Olif Elizabeth Ready was born in Buckville, Florida on December 26th, 1937, to Earnest Marvin Ready and Ethel Lashley. Elizabeth was the 4th born out of 5 children. Being the daughter of two church ministers, she spent much of her childhood and teenage years traveling between Alabama and Florida as they pastored and held brush-arbor meetings. She grew up surrounded by the love of her parents and her siblings, Doris, E.J., Louise, and Billy. At Trilacoochee, Florida in the early 1960s, her brother, Reverend E.J. Ready was pastoring Trilacoochee Assembly of God Church. E.J. encouraged her to come up and meet the church pianist and youth leader of his church, Paul Edsel Register. During this time, Marvin and Ethel attended the church and helped preach services, and the families became close friends. Elizabeth and Paul married on June 7th, 1963 at Galloway Assembly of God Church in Lakeland, Florida. On December 27th, 1964, Paul and Elizabeth had a daughter, Karen Denise Register. Seven years later, in November 1971, they adopted Alan Paul Register. Elizabeth attended Southeastern Bible College, then completed her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education at Florida Southern College. Being a single mother and with much dedication, she earned a Master’s degree from the University of South Florida. Elizabeth loved being a school teacher, and 5th grade was her favorite. She was happy to talk about her many experiences and anecdotes from her students. She not only worked as an elementary teacher but also served as a school guidance counselor for many years at Cork Elementary School and other schools within Hillsborough County. Her students, fellow teachers, and memories in the classroom were among her favorite conversation topics. You only had to ask her … In her spare time, she enjoyed wildlife photography and traveling throughout the United States. She boasted “48 out of the 50 states” she visited. One of her most memorable places was Alaska and she loved to reminisce about the Iditarod Race. She was always planning the next trip to Alabama, North Carolina, Tennessee, Maine, South Dakota, Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Montana, Texas … the list goes on and on. Even into her later weeks and with declining health, she was always talking about the “next trip.” She was never able to get to North Dakota or Minnesota. As late as the summer and fall of 2023, she still was hopeful that she would complete her “list” of additional places to visit. Even with failing health and fatigue, she managed to travel with Norman and Karen to Ashe County, North Carolina in October 2023. This was her last trip. She will be remembered as an avid fried chicken lover! She loved to eat out and have lively conversations with friends, family, high school classmates, fellow “prayer warriors” … even complete strangers!. Elizabeth was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma on June 6, 2016, by Shalini Mulaparthi, MD at Watson Clinic Cancer and Research Center, in Lakeland, Florida. Dr. Mulaparthi provided the most excellent care possible, and Elizabeth would tell you that she survived because of Dr. Mulaparthi and God. She firmly believed that God granted wisdom to Dr. Mulaparthi and He allowed her treatments to work. God extended her life and she joyously celebrated 7 ½ years after her diagnosis, and she lived each day to the fullest. Elizabeth and her family extend our deepest gratitude to Dr. Mulaparthi and the staff at Watson Clinic Cancer and Research Center, Watson Clinic Main, and Lakeland Regional Health. Many healthcare workers, including her physicians, nurses, technicians, and support staff were praying for her while providing the best medical care. Elizabeth is preceded in passing by her parents, Reverend Earnest Marvin Ready and Reverend Ethel Lashley Ready, her brother, Reverend Ernest James “EJ” Ready and wife, Ruby Nell Clark Ready; her sisters Doris Elna Ready Meadows and husband Harry Doyle Meadows, and Edna Louise Ready Eiland and husband Roger Donice Eiland; and her former husband and friend, Paul Edsel Register. Elizabeth is survived by her brother, Reverend Billy Ray (Racheal) Ready; daughter Karen Holland (Leland Norman); son Alan Register (April); and her grandchildren: Austin Michael Register, Alexzander James Register, Alexandria Noelle Holland, Caleb Jaymes Holland, Joshua Nathaniel Holland, and Aliyah Chyanne Register. She has many loving nieces, nephews, and extended family that cherish her memory.

Olif Elizabeth Ready Register

December 26, 1937 - December 17, 2023