Albert Grady Oliver Dr.

Dr. Albert Grady Oliver, 86, of Abbeville, husband of Anne Ellenberg Oliver, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, October 17, 2006. Born on June 7, 1920 in Franklin County GA, he was the eldest son of the late Charlie Lake Oliver and the late Rilla Crawford Oliver. He was a faithful and loving husband for sixty-three years to Anne Ellenberg Oliver of Ninety-Six, SC. To his children he was a devoted father, and to his grand children and great-grand children a beloved Papa. Dr. Oliver graduated from Emmanuel Junior College in 1938 and Piedmont College in 1940. After graduation from college he taught school in Franklin County. During WW II, he enlisted in the Army Air Corp where he trained as a navigator on a B-25 Mitchell bomber. He served in the Pacific Theater and flew 68 combat missions. On November 2, 1943 during the Raid on Rabaul his plane was shot down over the Pacific Ocean. For those injuries he received the Purple Heart. After his discharge from service, Dr. Oliver pursued a medical degree and graduated from the Medical College of Georgia in 1951. After an internship at the Georgia Baptist Hospital in Atlanta, GA, he began his private practice as a Family Practitioner in Abbeville in 1952. Dr. Oliver loved his community and his church, and served both for many years, even after his retirement from private practice in June 1988. He was a charter member of the American Academy of Family Practice, a member of the Christian Medical Society, and the Audubon Society. A member of the Abbeville Pentecostal Holiness Church, he served as a deacon for forty-five years. For thirty-three years he served on the Education Board for Emmanuel College. In 1989 he was recognized by the city of Abbeville for outstanding service to the community. This year he received a pin for membership in the Lions Club for fifty years. Survivors include his wife, Anne, of the home; children, Miriam (Mim) Burton of Abbeville, Mitchell and Debbie Oliver of Lilburn, GA, Tom and Kathy Oliver of Greer, SC, and Chris and Judy Baker of Greer, SC. Grandchildren are Edward Burton, Daniel and Jodie Burton, Elizabeth and Brian Tasker, Bradley Oliver, Matthew and Kristy Oliver, Ashley and Matt Gaymon, Brent and Lena Baker, Andrew Baker, and Rachel Baker; and great-grandchildren are Dillon and Hope Tasker, and Reid Burton. He is also survived by two brothers, Herman Oliver and Clyde Oliver, and a sister, Lula Crider. He was predeceased by two brothers, Harold Oliver and CB Oliver; and three sisters, Jean Lindsay, Gladys Horton, and Sarah Royston. The family will receive friends from 5PM to 7:30PM Thursday, October 19, 2006 at Harris Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held 2:00PM Friday, October 20, 2006 in the funeral home chapel, conducted by Revs. Ray Massey and Houston Taylor. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens. Memorials may be made to Abbeville Pentecostal Holiness Church 18 Pinehurst St. Abbeville, SC 29620, or to Emmanuel College, PO Box 129, Franklin Springs, GA. 30639. Online condolences may be sent to the Oliver family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com HARRIS FUNERAL HOME, of Abbeville is assisting the Oliver family.