In Memoriam : Margaret Oliveras

Margaret Oliveras - age: 89
(December 26, 1936 to March 25, 2026 )
Resident of Visalia, California

Visitation Information:
Following Margaret’s final wishes, her family will have a private burial.

Obituary:
Margaret Oliveras quietly slipped away from this world into the loving arms of her savior, Jesus Christ, surrounded by her faithful and loving husband, her children, and some of her grandchildren on March 25, 2026.
She was born on December 26, 1936, in Tulare Ca. to Birl and Sallie (Bonner) Sandlin, of Exeter. She received her education, in Exeter where she was raised. In high school, she was active in student government as junior class president and an officer in the “Y” teams club. Also 3 years of choir and a member of the CSF club. From 1974 to 1978, she furthered her education by attending and graduating from the Fresno School of Court Reporting.
She married Hubert Gayer of Lemon Cove. Together they had Larry Gayer, Denise Lorraine Gayer, and Teresa (Gayer) Witson. Unfortunately, Denise passed away at 2 months old.
She loved the Lord with all her heart. She first gave her heart and life to the Lord at the Exeter Church of Christ in the early 1960’s’. She and her children began attending Kaweah Community Church in Three Rivers, in 1974. This is where she met her best friend and the love of her life, Jim Oliveras. They were married on June 23, 1979, at Kaweah Community Church. Their strong love of the Lord continued together until the day she went to be with their Lord and Savior.
She began working while still in high school. Kaweah Drive Inn and the Exeter theatre were just beginning her career. She next became a switchboard operator for Pacific Telephone in Visala, and for Central Ca. Telephone Co. in Exeter. Next, she had a position for the R.L. Polk Co. until they relocated to NY City. She was such a valued employee they offered to relocate her, all expenses paid, with pay increase. She turned it down because she couldn’t bear to take her children away from their grandparents. She dearly loved her children and grandchildren and tried to do everything she could for them.


Always attending sporting, choral, and theatrical performances and anything in which they were involved.
She also worked at Mt. Whitney Cold Storage for Tip Landers, as a bookkeeper. Next was Exeter Citrus Ass. She worked as a court reporter prior to going to work for her son as his office manager at the business he owned. She chose this, so she had the flexibility to take care of her grandson. Finally, she retired from US Cold Storage in Tulare, after many years as a customer agent.
She had an amazing love for animals! She loved and grieved for her pets, as though they were family. She never met a cat she didn’t like. She and Jim enjoyed watching the life cycles of doves that frequented their patios. She even built shelters for the nesting doves to prevent their eggs from falling.
She was also a fabulous homemaker and gardener. She maintained a beautiful garden with a variety of flowers. Anytime she received plants or flowers as gifts, she would lovingly plant and tend to them; many of which are there today. She was a wonderful cook and hostess on family 4th of July’s for many years.
She enjoyed dancing of many kinds. She danced throughout her whole life. She could really cut a rug dancing the jitterbug with her brother Larry. Later in life, she took up square dancing and line dancing. She continued dancing until her health would no longer permit it.
Her entire life she enjoyed reading and music. She was an avid reader, reading constantly. She loved historical fiction. As well as reading, she had a true love of music, especially worship music. She sang loud and strong for her savior, and passed a special love on to her children, and her grandchildren. Larry and Teresa learned how to sing and harmonize while riding to and from Sacramento in their Studebaker with no radio.

Margaret was proceeded in death by her parents, her brothers Virgil (Eula Mae) Graham and Larry (Caroline) Sandlin, and her daughter Denise Lorraine Gayer.
She is survived by her loving husband Jim Oliveras, her son Larry (Diana) Gayer and daughter Teresa (Steve) Whitson, all of Visalia. Also, her grandchildren Joshua (Lauren) Gayer of Wy., John (Jessica) Petroff of Tx., Jesica (Russ) Gunderman and Jacob (Yuki) Gayer of Exeter. Emily Witson, Jared (Drea Gallardo-fiancée) Gayer, and Terry Whitson, all of Visalia. Also, her great granddaughters Autumn Nelson, Joy (Tyler) Keller, Gini Nelson, and Kaitlynn Nelson, all of Utah. Chase Gayer of Wy., Miley Gayer, Lily Gayer, and Alissa Gayer of Exeter, and Charlotte Gayer of Visalia. She is also survived by nieces and nephews.