Otis J. “Buddy” Oliver, 85, of Marianna, formerly of Bonifay, passed away on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at Jackson Hospital.
Buddy was born to Ernest C. and Eva Schrimshire Oliver on January 11, 1938. A native of Macon, Georgia, he retired to Dogwood Lakes in Bonifay, Florida in 1987. Buddy was a Factory Manager with the Federal Prison System in both Leavenworth, Kansas and Atlanta, Georgia.
After retiring he met the love of his life, Valeria Bradley Oliver from the Bethlehem Community in Holmes County, FL where they lived the majority of their married life. Before Buddy gave his life to Jesus Christ in October of 2000, he had taken five mission trips to spread the Gospel, of which he knew very little about at the time. Even though he had never read the Bible, he had such a passion for missions and helped smuggle Bibles into countries where it was a treasure for people to have one of their own. God used him in many ways to bless the missionaries on each of those trips. He traveled to eight different countries: India, Russia, China, South Africa, Nicaragua, Greece, Jamaica, and Bolivia.
Buddy enjoyed time on his motorcycles, especially the road trips with his brother, Bobby. He fully enjoyed every minute of his retirement. He was actively involved at his church, Carmel Assembly of God, and enjoyed helping at various events, especially the annual Chicken Perlu.
He had a BS degree in Criminal Justice from Georgia State University and was instrumental in initiating the Crime Stoppers Organization of Holmes County Florida at the request of former Sheriff, Dennis Lee.
O.J. Oliver was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest Oliver and Eva Schrimshire Oliver; four brothers, George Oliver, Frank Oliver, Bobby Oliver, and Ernest Oliver; five sisters, Bessie Cook, Flora Beaver, Juanita Moore, Margie Nobles, Betty Reed; and daughter, Wanda Jakelsky.
He is survived by his spouse, Valeria Bradley Oliver, of Marianna; daughters, Christie Oliver Street (Matt) of Atlanta, Angela Knight (Jeff) of Marianna, Aimee Douglas (Juno) of Marianna; and son, Jeffery Dykes (Lizz) of Utah; son-in-law, Mark Jakelsky (Stacy) of Marianna; nine grandchildren, Tiffany Southerland (Daniel), April Pettis (David), Bradley Douglas, Valaree Shuler (Jake), Alex Street (Lea), Keller Street, Victoria Jakelsky, Tayla Dykes, Keira Dykes; , 11 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, along with a host of extended family and friends.
Funeral services will be 11 AM, Wednesday, June 14, 2023, at Carmel Assembly of God Church, Bonifay, Florida, with Dr. Rev. Juno Douglas, Rev. Jeff Knight, and Rev. Mark Jakelsky officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery with James & Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel directing.
The family will receive friends at the church from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM at Carmel Assembly of God Church.
The family ask that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to World Missions Department at Carmel Assembly of God Church or Sneads Assembly of God Church.
Expressions of sympathy can be made online at www.jamesandsikesfuneralhomes.com
To order memorial trees in memory of Otis J. "Buddy" Oliver, please visit our tree store.
Buddy was born to Ernest C. and Eva Schrimshire Oliver on January 11, 1938. A native of Macon, Georgia, he retired to Dogwood Lakes in Bonifay, Florida in 1987. Buddy was a Factory Manager with the Federal Prison System in both Leavenworth, Kansas and Atlanta, Georgia.
After retiring he met the love of his life, Valeria Bradley Oliver from the Bethlehem Community in Holmes County, FL where they lived the majority of their married life. Before Buddy gave his life to Jesus Christ in October of 2000, he had taken five mission trips to spread the Gospel, of which he knew very little about at the time. Even though he had never read the Bible, he had such a passion for missions and helped smuggle Bibles into countries where it was a treasure for people to have one of their own. God used him in many ways to bless the missionaries on each of those trips. He traveled to eight different countries: India, Russia, China, South Africa, Nicaragua, Greece, Jamaica, and Bolivia.
Buddy enjoyed time on his motorcycles, especially the road trips with his brother, Bobby. He fully enjoyed every minute of his retirement. He was actively involved at his church, Carmel Assembly of God, and enjoyed helping at various events, especially the annual Chicken Perlu.
He had a BS degree in Criminal Justice from Georgia State University and was instrumental in initiating the Crime Stoppers Organization of Holmes County Florida at the request of former Sheriff, Dennis Lee.
O.J. Oliver was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest Oliver and Eva Schrimshire Oliver; four brothers, George Oliver, Frank Oliver, Bobby Oliver, and Ernest Oliver; five sisters, Bessie Cook, Flora Beaver, Juanita Moore, Margie Nobles, Betty Reed; and daughter, Wanda Jakelsky.
He is survived by his spouse, Valeria Bradley Oliver, of Marianna; daughters, Christie Oliver Street (Matt) of Atlanta, Angela Knight (Jeff) of Marianna, Aimee Douglas (Juno) of Marianna; and son, Jeffery Dykes (Lizz) of Utah; son-in-law, Mark Jakelsky (Stacy) of Marianna; nine grandchildren, Tiffany Southerland (Daniel), April Pettis (David), Bradley Douglas, Valaree Shuler (Jake), Alex Street (Lea), Keller Street, Victoria Jakelsky, Tayla Dykes, Keira Dykes; , 11 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, along with a host of extended family and friends.
Funeral services will be 11 AM, Wednesday, June 14, 2023, at Carmel Assembly of God Church, Bonifay, Florida, with Dr. Rev. Juno Douglas, Rev. Jeff Knight, and Rev. Mark Jakelsky officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery with James & Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel directing.
The family will receive friends at the church from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM at Carmel Assembly of God Church.
The family ask that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to World Missions Department at Carmel Assembly of God Church or Sneads Assembly of God Church.
Expressions of sympathy can be made online at www.jamesandsikesfuneralhomes.com
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