Ronald Oliver's Obituary
Ronald Lee Oliver, Sr., “Rooney,” made his transition to eternal life on May 25, 2025, in NHC HealthCare Chattanooga. He was born on October 18, 1939, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He was the oldest of two sons of the late Mr. Lewis Bibbs and the late Ms. Lois Oliver. He was preceded in death by four brothers, Richard, William, Joe, and Waymon; one sister, Lena Pearl Baker; three aunts, Fannie Montague (who was also a mother figure), Frankie Oliver, and Jessie Johnson; one Uncle, Larkin Bibbs; one grandson, RonXavier Tate; and one nephew, Aaron Baker. He was the last survivor of his siblings.
Due to the loss of their mother at an early age, Mr. Oliver and his younger brother, Waymon, spent time between family members in Chattanooga, TN, and Georgia. While living in Elberton, Georgia, at an early age, he joined Martin Grove Baptist Church. Mr. Oliver worked in the granite industry at McLanahan Crushed Stone and at a local gas station. Rooney, as he was affectionately called, was an avid baseball player. Being a catcher on the baseball field for local teams was one of his favorite pastimes. After relocating to Chattanooga permanently, he worked for his brother’s company, W.O. Concrete Finishing and JM Hanner Construction until his demise.
To God’s keeping, he leaves one wife, Fannie Sue Oliver, Elberton, GA; one daughter, Sarah Lois (Freddie) Baker, Elberton, GA; four sons, Ronald Lee Oliver, Jr. and Carey (Debra) Oliver, both of Elberton, GA, and Kenneth Armstrong and Cedric Shelton, both of Chattanooga, TN; 20 grandchildren, Tyrone Oliver, Christopher Baker, Jennifer McDuffie, Nicole Rashad, Amber Oliver, Tanesha Oliver, Shara Oliver, Calandra Vinson, Brittany Shelton, Renisha Shelton, Brisha Shelton, Anondi Shelton, Kadarius Scott, Devontay Tipton, Kenneth Armstrong, Jr., Tadarion Gore, Jerrel Garner, Kerion Armstrong, LaKeino Armstrong, and Kalob Armstrong; one brother-in-law, Marion (Sandra) Tate, of Gainesville, Georgia; three devoted nieces, Bonita Baker, Cheryl Baker, and Felicia Rivers; a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends that loved him and will always cherish his memories.
Visitation is Tuesday, June 3, 2025, from 4-7 p.m. at Wingfield Funeral Home, 206 Marietta Street, Cedartown, Georgia 30125. Graveside service is Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at 1 p.m. in Tate’s Grove Baptist Church Cemetery, 1644 Bobby Brown State Park Road, Elberton, Georgia 30635. Arrangements are announced by Taylor Funeral Home of Chattanooga, Inc.
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