Ollie Mae Castek, 86, of Lenoir City, TN, passed away peacefully at her home on January 1, 2026. She was a cherished mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend whose loving presence will be deeply missed.

Ollie was born in Rockwood, TN, to Charles and Ella Carter, the fifth of seven children. After attending high school in Chattanooga, TN, she moved to the Washington, DC area to pursue a career as a secretary with the US government before getting married and relocating to Niagara Falls, NY and Lewiston, NY where she lived for more than 38 years, raising six children.

Ollie’s children were her joy, all six of whom were active in different sports. Ollie encouraged them and cheered from the stands with pride, regularly attending their games, matches, and meets. She served on the board of the Lewiston Porter Sports Boosters to ensure that athletics programming would be widely available in schools and have the funding needed to thrive.

Ollie spent many years working as a legal secretary and retired from Anne Arundel County, MD at the age of 65. Once retired, Ollie returned to her roots to live in Tennessee, outside the Smoky Mountains near where she grew up. She attended weekly dances in Spring City and Harriman, TN, enjoying classic country music with her longtime cherished partner, William (Buck) Edwards of Rockwood, TN. Together, Ollie and Buck traveled to England, Scotland, and Hawaii, and took road trips all over the US to visit family for weddings, graduations, and birthdays. A few of her favorite travel memories were visiting Pearl Harbor, enjoying fresh lobster and seafood in Maine during the summertime, and experiencing the Grand Canyon in Arizona.

When she wasn’t dancing or traveling, Ollie was an avid sports fan and loved watching football, especially the Buffalo Bills, with family and friends. She loved to cook and bake. Her dishes and desserts were legendary, and she would prepare and share them generously at countless occasions, delighting those around her with her culinary talents. Though she would share her recipes when asked, she always added her own special love and care; no one could ever quite replicate what she created. Ollie’s caring spirit and zest for life brightened the lives of all who knew her and spent time with her. Her spirit will live on through the countless lives she touched; she is forever in our hearts.

Ollie is survived by her loving children: Douglas Castek and wife Lisa Castek of Birmingham, AL; Linda Bartos and her late husband Kenneth Bartos of Lewiston, NY; Michael Castek of Lenoir City, TN; Glenn Castek of Buffalo, NY; Pamela Thaxton of Hagerstown, MD; and Jill Castek of Oakland, CA.

She will be fondly remembered her beloved grandchildren: James Castek and wife Tori Castek of Noblesville, IN; Christine Byl and husband Stephen Byl of Ada, MI; Shannon Castek of Bonney Lake, WA; and Jean Castek, mother of James, Christine, and Shannon; Joseph Bartos of Indianapolis, IN; Emily Bartos of Watertown, MA; Bradley Thaxton and wife Emily Thaxton of Grasonville, MD and Michael Thaxton, late father of Bradley; Christopher Castek, of North Tonawanda, NY; Nicole Kent and husband Brian Kent of Linesville, PA; and Cindy Martha, mother of Christopher and Nicole; and Glenn Castek, Jr., of Buffalo, NY, and Cindy Castek, late mother of Glenn.

Ollie leaves a lasting legacy through her cherished great-grandchildren: Asa Castek, Joelle Castek, Lennox Bartos, Jefferson Byl, Walton Byl, Courtland Byl, Harriett Byl, Gwendolyn Byl, and Ada Kent.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, January 6th, 2026, from 6:00-8:00 pm ET at Evans Mortuary in Rockwood. Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, January 7th, 2026, at 11:00 am ET in the chapel of Evans Mortuary. Graveside and interment service will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Rockwood. Evans Mortuary is serving the family of Ollie Mae Castek.