Ruth “Naomi” Oliphant, 78, longtime Derby resident and retired Q Corporation employee, passed away on Feb. 24, 2018, surrounded by her family at St. Teresa Hospital in Wichita after a brief illness.
Naomi was born on Jan. 11, 1940, in Moran to Robert Porter and Anna Louise (Kennedy) Stewart. She was the youngest of eight children. She spent her early years on a farm outside of Moran before moving to Iola, where she graduated from high school in 1958. After graduation, Naomi went to work for the telephone company. On Dec. 16, 1961, she married Kenneth Oliphant. They briefly made their home in Wichita before moving to Derby in 1966.
Naomi is preceded in death by her parents; brothers, John (Mabel), George (Octavia), Richard (Arlene) Stewart; sisters, Elizabeth Stewart, Evelyn (Richard) Stitzel, Eleanor (Don) Baumunk, and Helen (Joe) Boyer.
She is survived by her children, Brad (Janet) Oliphant, Julie (Gene) Martin, Susan (Doug) Van Driel; grandchildren, Sarah (Mike) Garner, Braden (fiancée Chrissy) Oliphant, Anna and Gracie Van Driel; numerous nieces and nephews; and special friends from childhood, Suzanne Munzesheimer, Linda Higginbotham, Judy Jo Laver, and Sharon Hoffmeier.
Friends may pay their respects from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday at Smith Mortuary, 1415 N. Rock Road, Derby, with family present to greet friends from 5 to 7 p.m.
Funeral service is 10 a.m. Saturday, also at the mortuary. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorials be made to Good Shepherd Hospice, 7829 E. Rockhill St. No. 403, Wichita, KS 67206.
Naomi was loved and will be missed greatly by her family and friends. Send condolences to www.smithfamilymortuaries.com.
Arrangements with Smith Mortuary, Derby.
Naomi Oliphant
