Olivia D. Booker

 On Monday, October 20, 2025, our Father in Heaven called one of his beloved to her eternal home.  Olivia D. Booker, was born on June 21, 1936 to the late Addie M. Hester and Joseph A. Plenty. 

Olivia’s childhood was spent in Roxboro, North Carolina where she attended Person County public schools.  After graduating high school she attended cosmetology school in Durham, North Carolina.  She began her career as a hairstylist until relocating to Albany, New York. In Albany she obtained employment at Albany Medical Center where she dedicated herself for over thirty years until her retirement. 

Olivia loved the Lord and spent her life being obedient to the Word of God. She was a dedicated founding member of Sojourner Truth AME Zion Church in 1959.  She faithfully served as a Deaconess, a member of the Women’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society (WHOMS) and was the founder and president of the Flowers of Faith. Olivia was a pillar in the church Gospel Choir and also sang with the Western New York Conference Choir and the Albany District Zion Chorale.

Olivia was preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Addie Plenty; husbands, John Dowdell and Joseph Booker, sisters Mary Cokley, Gladys Hayes, brother John Carrington and special son, Rev. Robert Kealon (Darlene). 

Olivia is survived by and leaves to cherish her memory sisters, Annie Elliott (Roxboro, NC), Eloise Wethers (Albany, NY); beloved special grandchildren, Nathaniel Kealon, Erica Mcleod and Shannon Hanks all of Albany, NY; nieces Bertia Cokley and Denise DeLapp both of Garner, NC, Sheliah Gray (Lex) of Lithia Springs, GA, Sharon Elliott of Durham, NC, Saundra Hatchett (Roxboro, NC); nephews Michael Elliott (Roxboro, NC) and Vincent (Jean) Carrington of Albany, NY.

Over the years Olivia also nurtured and loved her godchildren Faith Cole, Ebony Danzy, Victoria Carrington, Darryl Carrington and step-son Louis Dowdell. She will truly be missed by her great nieces and nephews and a host of other many other relatives and friends.

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