Oliver Keen Gaskins

O.K. Gaskins was born October 8, 1927, in Morehead City, NC. He experienced his final rebirth on October 8, 2024, at the age of 97. He now joins his wife of 55 years, Bobby Ann, who preceded him in 2008, his son, Steven Oliver, who preceded him in 2017, and his grandson, Taylor Gaskins, who preceded him in 2018.

O.K. was one of 15 children born to Adam Gaskins & Dollie Eaton Gaskins of New Bern, NC. He is survived by two siblings, Grace Montani of Phoenix Arizona and Jane Edwards of Virginia; (4) children, Emory (Cindy) Gaskins of Honolulu Hawaii, Mardie (Terry) Smith of Greer SC, Debbie (Alan) Kerr of Greer SC, and Laura (Brian) Gibson of Chapin SC; 9 grandchildren, Bethany (Miles) Benefield of Bend OR, Hannah (Michael) Sand of Tacoma WA, Caleb Gaskins of Portland OR, Faith Gaskins of New York City, Sarah (Kevin) Parker of Duncan SC, Steven Gaskins of Greenville SC, Deborah Smith of Asheville NC, Mary Grace (Alex) Carlson of Greenville SC, Joseph Gibson of Chapin SC, and 8 great grandchildren. O.K. was loved by all. 

After graduating from Brevard College and the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, he taught High School biology for 45 years, the last 35 years at Spartanburg High School, where he was awarded Teacher of the Year in 1990.

He received the ‘Outstanding Biology Teacher Award’ from the National Association of Biology Teachers for ‘Excellence in the Teaching of Biology in 1998.

O.K. was an active member in the Optimist Club where he briefly served as President and was active in starting the South Carolina Bible Education in School Time Release (SCBEST) and served on their Board.

He sold Christmas trees in the rain, cold, and snow for Optimist Club until he was in his late 80’s.

He received the Pete Smith Award for 1996 – 1997 in ‘Honor and Recognition of Outstanding and Unselfish Contribution to The Community and to the Objectives of Optimism’. He was awarded Outstanding Educator Award for his Leadership in Spartanburg County Christian Released Time by the Breakfast Optimist Club of Spartanburg in 2002. 

He received an Honorary Lifetime Membership in the Spartanburg Breakfast Optimist Club in recognition of his support and dedication to the ideals and principles of the club in 2023.

He received the Helping Hand Award from the Boys & Girls Club of the Upstate. 

He served as the Sunday School Director at Morningside Baptist in Charlotte NC for 10 years, prior to moving to Spartanburg in 1966.

He taught Sunday School at First Baptist Church Spartanburg for 65 years until his eyesight did not allow him to read. He also served as Deacon for many of those years. 

He was a current member Fairview Baptist Church in Greer, SC.

He loved teaching and giving himself to others to make their life better. After retirement O.K. continued his love of learning by graduating from several Bible Institutes. As long as his vision allowed, he was studying and teaching the Bible. He remained an avid Tar Hill fan all his life, listening to games on the radio after his eyesight failed.

O.K. would tell you the most important aspect of his life was his simple, unwavering love for Jesus. In good times, in hard times, in death, in failing health, in blindness, he held fast to his Lord and Savior. His family and all his friends can attest to that.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, from 12:00 pm - 12:45 pm followed by the funeral service beginning at 1:00 pm at Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel, 2075 E. Main St., Spartanburg, SC 29307.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Spartanburg County School Ministries schoolministriesofspartanburg.org or PO Box 160511, Boiling Springs, SC 29316. 

Floyds Greenlawn Chapel