We wish to share with you the passing of our father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and friend Milton P. “Dutie” Oliver, 85, of Rochelle, Va. We kept him safe from Covid but couldn’t stop old age. He said he was born July 13, 1936 in the back seat of a car in Greene County Va. Those of you who know him can imagine he came out screaming loudly and never stopped. He was the son of Suel Max Oliver Sr. and Clarice Gilbert Oliver. Being the youngest of six children, he was always spoiled by someone, especially his older sister Florence “Sis”.
While growing up his family lived in several places other than Greene County, at one point they lived in Charlottesville where his parents had a bakery in the Belmont area. His mother was known for her chocolate meringue pies and fresh coconut cakes. That’s probably where he learned to love food and developed his sweet tooth. Mostly his family had a small farm, grew corn, and to a large extent lived off the land with their vegetables, chickens, and the dairy cows.
As a youngster, he attended school in Charlottesville, but at some point moved back to Greene and went to the Ruckersville School until he finished seventh grade. He then became a freshman at William Monroe High School. Four years later his teachers breathed a sigh of relief when he graduated in 1954.
According to his Senior Annual “The Trail” we find out his favorite thing is dancing (who knew?!), his ambition is to work for DHIA (Diary Herd Improvement Association) and his favorite saying is “Another Big Orange”. On the Who’s Who page we find out that he is voted “Wittiest”, “Most Popular”, and he left a Junior classmate (in his will) his ability to be HEARD at all times. Next to his senior photo there is a comment, “His smile goes all the way around and buttons in the back”. While in high school he held a Class Officer position for three years. As a senior, he was the Student Council Vice President. Growing up he played backyard ball wherever he lived and during high school he played basketball as a junior and a senior and played baseball all four years. After graduation he continued his love for sports and played slow pitch soft ball on many leagues, but we still don’t know what happened to his love for dancing!
He was employed at State Farm Insurance Company for 43 years working his way up to Supervisor (Team Manager) of the mail room. Over the years he hired
hundreds of people and if you were “Oliver” trained you were going to be a top notch worker. At one point the employees had a vote on naming the “Mail Mobile” and “Milton” and “Oliver” were overwhelming chosen. Soon both “Mail Mobiles” were named after him, this was something he was always proud of! He was very fond of his employees and always enjoyed seeing them succeed.
After 43 years of service he retired to become a full time farmer. Retirement gave him more time to pursue his many interests. His Mother was a big influence on him especially his cooking and gardening. He followed many of her traditions like planting by the signs in the Farmer’s Almanac. On New Year’s Day eating black eyed peas and hog jowl was a must and you hoped that the first person that entered into your house that day was a man for good luck. It was also important to enter and exit by the same door to avoid bad luck.
One of the projects in retirement was building a home on his farm in Rochelle. He dearly loved that place! It offered a mountain view from almost every window. If you ever visited with him and weather permitting, he would have you sit with him on the porch. While admiring the mountain view you would also get to enjoy watching his chickens, guineas, pigeons, ducks and his special pet goose.
Besides his family he also loved to hunt. He hunted a multitude of game: birds, deer and rabbits but his favorite type of hunting always involved dogs. In his retirement he bred, raised and trained an outstanding pack of rabbit beagles. “Lucky” became one of his favorite beagles and spent most of his time in his lap or beside his chair.
We will miss him greatly, especially the birthday song he sang to each of us first thing in the morning on our birthdays, the tons of vegetables he gave us in the summer, cracked walnuts in the winter, and just being there for us when we needed him.
God blessed him with 85 years of life, he passed peacefully on December 13, 2021 at the University of Virginia Hospital.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Suel Max Oliver and Clarice Gilbert Oliver, brothers Paul Jackson, Lloyd Thomas and Max Jr. Oliver, his sisters Mildred
Catherine Oliver, Florence Lorene Carver, Grandson Darrin Richard Lape, Carolyn “Faye” Haney Oliver companion and special friend.
Milton is survived by his children, Sharon Oliver Ference, Melissa Oliver Lape, Stacy Cooke Oliver, Perry Oliver and wife Terri, Lance Oliver and wife Rhonda, Travis Oliver and wife Donna.
He will be missed by his grandchildren, Matthew, Mary, Josh, Kirsten, Kendra and Jacob Oliver, Zachary and Allison Lape, Amy Webster, Susan McCauley, N. Tyler, Kyle J. and Amelia D. Puchino, Preston Floyd, Brett and Jamie Ference, John, Tim and David Jones.
His memories will be passed to his Great Grandchildren Mycah, Myles and Madelyn Oliver, Alyssa and Lennox Lape, Michael and Tucker May, Ja Kai Blackmon, Jones and Ella Ference, Ellie and Vince Webster, Elizabeth, Jennifer, Lance and Peter McCauley, Roux F. Puchino, Ryan, Andy, and Penelope Jones.
He leaves behind his sister Beverly Oliver Harris, his dear friend and advocate Mary Lou Frey, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
The service will be held on Monday, December 20, 2021 at 11 am with family visitation starting at 10 am at Spring Hill Baptist Church, 2620 Fray’s Mill Road, Ruckersville, Va. 22968. Pastor, Wendell Lamb will be officiating. Music to be provided by Graydon and Marida Lamb. Interment will follow the service in the Church Cemetery.
Family thanks UVA Hospital for the outstanding care that he received. We especially wish to recognize Dr. J. Hall, a physician and individual like none other.
We appreciate Preddy Funeral Home of Madison for being in charge of arrangements.
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