Oma Pierce Seager in the Robe of Achievement

Oma Pierce Seager was born at Farnam, NE in 1900. The family moved to Fouke, AR in 1903 where they attended the Fouke SDB church where she became a member at an early age. She attended Fouke Academy, graduated from Fouke High School, and went to college in Battle Creek, MI. She originally wanted to be a nurse but could not pass the required physical examination after a serious illness.  She worked as a technician in a sanatorium in Battle Creek and saved up enough money to attend Milton College in WI. She graduated from Milton and taught Latin for two years.

She met Lloyd D. Seager and they were married in 1927. They moved to Urbana, IL where Oma taught school while Lloyd did graduate work as a medical student. They then moved to St. Louis, MO where Lloyd completed his doctorate and began teaching in the University Medical College. Many times Dr. Seager said he was  ready to give up his studies because of the hardship for the family but Oma provided constant support and sacrificial frugality that spurred him on. Because of her unwavering support he was one of the doctors who developed the oral vaccine for polio. He also prefected oral penicillin and orinase- and oral treatment for diabetes. He also did research in the field of tranquilizers, cardiac drugs, and raw drug testing techniques. He established the field of basic toxicology and trained the state’s first toxicologist while Oma took care of home and hearth and took on extra responsibilities so he could be free to work.

For many years Oma and her family lived far away from an SDB church so they had Sabbath worship in their home. To make the break from home to church special they would go out their back door and come in the front door to begin their worship. The continued this in Memphis, TN and later Philadelphia, PA. In Philadelphia an SDB Fellowship was formed as a result of their efforts.

Oma and her family moved to Little Rock, AR where Dr Lloyd became head of Pharmacology and the University of Arkansas and they continued their Sabbath worship, joining with two other Sabbathkeeping families for fellowship. They began to work toward attracting other SDB’s to the area and were eventually successful in forming a Fellowship and then the Little Rock SDB Church. Oma served that church in many different capacities- Treasurer, Clerk, Worship Leader, and was an outstanding example of Christian love. She was a fantastic cook as all who attended church dinners can attest and she even shared her recipes.

Whenever sickness or death strikes families of her acquaintances she is the first to help. She provides food, clothing, and gentle and loving sympathy invaluable to those bereft. For many years she and her husband carried the main financial burden of the church and made their home available for church family.

Oma was a staunch supported of the Southwestern Association and of Camp Miles, often providing financial assistance for children who could not otherwise afford camp. Oma also served the General Conference for many years on the Committee on Obituaries. She also kept her home running enabling her husband to serve on the Commission of General Conference as Conference President, and as a delegate to the organizational meeting of the World Council of Churches in Upsala, Sweden.

Oma taught English at Capitol Business College in Little Rock and then 2nd grade at Park Hill Elementary for 10 years. Eventually she was forced to retire because of age requirements she taught for 2 additional years at St Teresa Catholic School.  She has been active in PTA organizations and served on the Medical Auxilliary. Oma has also been active in interdenominational fellowships giving loving service and Sabbath witness.