Christopher Oliver

CHARLESTON, Mo. — Christopher Columbus Oliver, 81, died Aug. 13, 2019, at Charleston Manor Nursing Facility in Charleston.

Born April 14, 1938, in Hillhouse, Miss., son of the late Edgar and Mary Lee Hampton Oliver, he attended Lincoln High School in Charleston. He was drafted into the United States Army and served from Oct. 11, 1956, to Oct. 28, 1957. He obtained the rank of E-4 prior to receiving an honorable discharge. He had moved to Gary, Ind., and later relocated to Chicago Heights, Ill., and worked at the Sears and Roebuck store. He moved back to Charleston and was self-employed, painting houses for the Charleston Housing Authority. He was of the Christian belief.

In 1959, he married Katie Davis, who preceded him in death on March 5, 2016.

He was also preceded in death his grandparents, John and Lucille Burton Oliver and George and Adline Long Hampton; three brothers, George McCray, Aljnory Smith and Billy Gene Oliver; three sisters, Dorothy C. Oliver, Eddie Mae Oliver and Janette Oliver; one son, Justin Cleaves; and two grandchildren.

Survivors include: one son, Anthony Oliver of Gary, Ind.; five daughters, Lucinda Oliver-Young of Gary, Barbara K. Jones of Atlanta, Callie Robinson of Cape Girardeau, Lawanda Moore and Lysonia Moore of Charleston; two additional sons and daughters of Chicago; two brothers, Wayne Oliver of Chicago and Harold Oliver of Fargo, N.D.; two sisters, Irness Fennell and Bobbie Dunigan of Charleston; and 24 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.

Visitation is from 11 a.m. until service time at noon Saturday at Opportunity Church of God in Christ with Steve Betts officiating.

Burial with full military honors. will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery near Charleston.

The Williams Funeral Home of Charleston is in charge of arrangements.