The Undertaker's Wife
A True Story of Love, Loss, and Laughter in the Unlikeliest of Places
- History & Biography
- Counseling, Grief & Mental Health
- Publisher: Zondervan
- Published: 2015
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Publisher's Description
On Dee Branch’s first date with Johnnie Oliver, a fourth-generation funeral director, she knew she was in for a unique relationship when he had to leave “for just a minute”—and he came back to the car with a corpse. Over twenty years later, Dee was still in love with her charming southern gentleman when he passed away suddenly in 2007. Determined to carry on Johnnie’s work, Dee earned her mortuary science degree, only to find herself no longer needed in the family business. So Dee crossed the racial divide in the most segregated industry in America and joined the staff of an African-American funeral home as a single white woman. In The Undertaker’s Wife, Oliver draws from her wealth of experience to provide candid and often hysterically funny advice on dying well and surviving the loss of those who have gone before. Her insights on the common ground of grief, survival, and the ever-present faithfulness of God (to all of us, regardless of our race, religious upbringing, or socio-economic background) will help readers prepare for one of life’s only certainties—and do it with wisdom, grace, and a healthy dose of joy.
Endorsements (5)
“PRAISE FOR THE UNDERTAKER’S WIFE The Undertaker’s Wife confirms the fact that real life is stranger than fiction. Filled with poignant, honest, and lots of hilarious moments, this is a fun read, with plenty of food for thought. You’ll be glad you chose this one. Enjoy!”
“Fast-paced with richly developed characters, The Undertaker’s Wife is a witty and poignant story of faith and family. Dee Oliver tells her story with a tender humor that provides a powerful message to all of us as we confront the unexpected challenges life — and death — provide. An enjoyable and moving read. BRIGADIER GENERAL ANTHONY J. TATA (U.S. Army, retired), bestselling author of Foreign and Domestic The Undertaker’s Wife is a beautifully written memoir about love and loss, and about learning to trust God through it all. Dee’s story is both tender and funny, and ultimately a poignant reminder about the powerful gift of prayer.”
“In the world of running, how you train can make all the difference — and it’s the same thing on the track of life. Many thanks to Dee Oliver for writing about grief and loss in a way that will help all of us prepare to finish the race with strength, dignity, and even a little laughter along the way. THE HONORABLE JIM RYUN, five-term Congressman, three-time Olympian Where humor meets God and takes the sting out of death — regardless of our race, economic status, or what shoes we wear to the funeral! SUSAN ALEXANDER Yates, speaker and bestselling author. In The Undertaker’s Wife, Dee Oliver has opened a coffin for us and found a laughing body. She has scripted out a poignant, hilarious, and practical autobiographical work that laughs at a death that may yet make us weep, but has lost its sting. Here is a lived theology of Resurrection in the midst of traveling through a valley of tears. Like Chaucer’s Wife of Bath, Dee may have sent her husband on to Jesus, but by the end of the book, we want to travel the rest of our journey heavenward with her. We know it will be an inspired hoot of a story, just like this marvelous book.”
“I laughed, I cried, I took notes! The Undertaker’s Wife is a hilarious, uniquely Southern rendering of mourning, empathy, fortitude, and loving others well in times of need.”
“Plenty of funeral directors can speak with wisdom and authority, but Dee is that rare breed of professional who can also do it with wit and grace. Don’t be fooled by the entertainment value of this memoir. You might laugh — or cry — but in the end, you’ll have read a very important work about life, death, and how to bridge the gaps that both can leave.”
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