BY GWEN HAYES
Sentinel Editor
Elder Roland H. Oliver, Sr. passed away Friday, March 2, 2012, at Manatee Memorial Hospital in Bradenton after suffering a massive heart attack. He was 53 years old.
Rev. Oliver was the pastor of St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Palmetto.
According to close family members, Elder Oliver preached harder than he has ever on the second Sunday, February 12, 2012. However, after worship service, he complained about tightness in his chest, but said it was probably acid reflux. At first, he refused to seek medical attention until one of his deacons told him he’d meet him at the hospital. Instead of the hospital, they agreed to meet at a clinic, where he was immediately sent to the hospital.
Elder Oliver, affectionately known in Tampa as ‘Jim Buie,’ began his education at St. Peter Claver Catholic School and continued his education at Tampa Catholic High School, where he was valedictorian of his graduating class. He attended Hillsborough Community College and Bethune-Cookman College, where he was drum major. He loved to sing and played the piano, drums and organ.
According to his wife, Mrs. Elnora Oliver, Elder Oliver was called to preach the gospel in his late teens and preached his first sermon at Greater Bethel Baptist Church, where his uncle, Rev. Oscar Johnson, Jr. is the pastor, and where he grew up.
Approximately 10 years later, he was ordained and became the pastor of Faith Temple Missionary Baptist Church. He later became the pastor at St. John in Palmetto where he remained until his death.
At St. John, Elder Oliver sang and directed the Male Choir, licensed 5 ministers, ordained 10 deacons, started the food bank, Trustee Board and Brotherhood, in addition to teaching the Word of God.
He was religiously trained at Florida Theological Seminary and graduated from Baptist Fellowship Seminary in 1982.
His other affiliations include: Secretary, Progressive M&E Baptist State Convention; Advisory Board, Palmetto Youth Academy; held several positions in Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Association. He was in Tampa earlier in February and participated in the Inaugural Ceremony (Pastor’s Conference Chair, Litany of Installation) honoring Moderator Rev. Dr. Hosea L. Daniels.
R. W. Roland Oliver, Sr. (33/43 degree) was also the Deputy Grand Master of St. Joseph Grand Lodge A. F. & A. M. State of Florida and held other Masonic positions.
There will be a viewing for Elder Oliver on Thursday evening at Greater Bethel M. B. Church, 1207 N. Jefferson; Friday evening, 5-8 p. m. the Wake services will be held at St. John, 1701 1st Ave. E., Palmetto (34221). The funeral service on Saturday, March 10, 2012, will be held at Mt. Raymond Full Gospel Baptist Church, 2410 4th Ave. E., Palmetto (34221). Interment will follow the service back in Tampa at Rest Haven Memorial Park Cemetery. Ray Williams Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. (More information in Friday’s Funeral Notice)
The son of the late June and Oscar Oliver, Elder Oliver was raised by his aunt, Ms. Frances Johnson from the age of 2 when his mother died. He was an only child.
In addition to his wife, Elder Oliver is survived by 2 sons, Roland, Jr. and Jonathan and 2 daughters, Marquitta and Precious.
