Christopher Columbus Oliver

Christopher Columbus Oliver, 81, resident of Charleston, Missouri,  died Tuesday, August 13, 2019 at Charleston  Manor Nursing Facility in Charleston, Missouri.  He was born April 14, 1938 in Hillhouse, Mississippi to the late Edgar and Mary Lee Hampton Oliver.

He realized there was a void in his life and accepted Christ at an early age.

Chris attended Lincoln High School in Charleston, Missouri then he was drafted into the United States Army.  He served his country from October 11, 1956 to October 28, 1957. Chris obtained the rank of E-4 prior to receiving an honorable discharge.

He was united in marriage to Katie Davis Oliver in 1959. To this union two children were born, Lucinda and Anthony.  Katie preceded him in death on March 5, 2016.

Chris and his wife moved to Gary, Indiana.  Chris later relocated to Chicago Heights, Illinois and worked at the Sears and Roebuck store and did factory work.  He moved back to Charleston, Missouri and was self-employed, painting houses for the Charleston Housing Authority.  He also worked for the Charleston Bowling Alley, cleaning and cooking, and worked many seasonal jobs.

He was an interior decorator, an avid fisherman, and hunter.  Chris could run so fast that he could be found running rabbits down and catching them. He also loved to shoot pool and enjoyed barbequing and cooking.  Although a friendly person,  he would be often found walking alone.  He enjoyed his down time and loved nature's beauty.  He will truly be missed.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife,  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, Akeem Oliver and Chris Smith.

He is survived by one son, Anthony Oliver of Gary, Indiana, five daughters, Lucinda Oliver-Young of Gary, Indiana, Barbara K. Jones of Atlanta, Georgia, Callie Robinson of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Lawanda Moore and Lysonia Moore of Charleston, Missouri and two additional sons and daughters of Chicago, Illinois, two brothers, Wayne Oliver of Chicago, Illinois and Harold Oliver of Fargo, North Dakota,  two sisters, Irness (Huriah, Jr.) Fennell and Bobbie Dunigan of Charleston, Missouri, one uncle, Curtis Oliver of Indianapolis, Indiana,  24 grandchildren,  25 great grandchildren, and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Friends may call Saturday, August 24, 2019 from 11:00 A. M. until the funeral hour of 12:00 noon at Opportunity  Church of God in Christ  with the pastor, Superintendent Steve Betts officiating.

Interment will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery near Charleston, Missouri with full military honors.  The Williams  Funeral Home of Charleston, Missouri is in charge of arrangements..