Andrew Blaine Oliver, Sr.

Mr. Andrew Blaine Oliver Sr., age 94 of Purlear passed away Thursday April 14, 2022 at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist-Wilkes Medical Center. 

A Graveside service will be held at 2:00 PM Monday April 18, 2022 at Arbor Grove United Methodist Church Cemetery with Rev. Susan Pillsbury-Taylor officiating.   

Mr. Oliver was born on April 3, 1928 in Ashe County to Rufus Clint and Emma Louise Mash Oliver. Blaine served in the United States Navy. 

In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by one sister: Annie Ruth Childers; two brothers; Charles Bruce Oliver, Donald Clinton Oliver. 

Mr. Oliver is survived by his wife Wanda Hayes Oliver of the home; three sons; Andrew Blaine “Drew” Oliver, Jr of Mooresville, NC, Thomas H. Oliver and wife Judi of Brentwood, TN and David J. Oliver and wife Cheryl of Winston-Salem; eight grandchildren; Liz Oliver (Salvatore) , Andrew Blaine Oliver, III (Ella), Daniel H. Oliver (Jenny), Zachary T. Oliver (Marion), Mary Kathryn Wolfe (Jeff), Dagmars S. Oliver, Joanna Leigh Kelly (Sterling),  Sallie J. Oliver and eleven great-grandchildren and  many nieces and nephews. 

His much-cherished grandchildren know him as Pop and they remember he was quite the doting grandfather.  Pop always had a laugh ready for them with his sharp-witted pragmatism. 

After Millers Creek High School, a business degree from King’s College and service in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Beltrami, Blaine had a career with Southern Railway, Charlotte Freight and then twenty-three years at Lowe’s Companies where he worked in Store Operations and the Homestead Department.  

Blaine and Wanda were a devoted couple and celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary earlier this month.  Beyond his wife, family and faith, he also loved his bluegrass roots and was a talented banjo, guitar and mandolin player.  Blaine was picking and grinning at an early age in a traveling band during high school for “pocket change” he would often say. 

Blaine also loved Ashe County and the New River where he enjoyed many boyhood memories he could vividly recount.  Blaine was generous with his time as a skilled do-it-yourself man and Jack of all trades.  His family cherishes his memory and recalls 2 Timothy 4:7, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to charity of the donor’s choice. 

Online condolences may be made to www.reinssturdivant.com.

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