Marie Ednamae Oliver

Marie Ednamae Oliver was born October 10, 1931 in Ocean Springs, MS, to the union of Eugene Stewart and Minnie Carraway-Stewart. Marie accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church of Ocean Springs, MS where she remained a life-long member. She attended both Ocean Springs Colored Elementary & High Schools. During her high school years, Marie was a gregarious, competitive student athlete. She played the position of guard on the high school girls� basketball championship team. The girls� team was 1st place in the Gulf Coast Finals Tournament for the four years she attended high school. The trophies were prominently displayed giving the high school bragging rights down through the years even after it was renamed Elizabeth H. Keys High School. Athleticism, however, was not Marie�s dominant talent. She was a scholar as well. Ever studious and competitive in intellectual pursuits as well, she excelled in her studies. She graduated as valedictorian of her class with highest honors in 1949. Upon graduation, Marie aspired to become a medical doctor. Unfortunately, her family lacked the financial resources to send her to college. So despite her promising intellectual potential, she gave up her dream and headed off to the work force. She landed a job as a photo developer at Mail Photo, a large mail order photo processing center. Being the early 50�s, Marie was the only black employee hired at the company and remained so during her tenure. She was well regarded and well respected. Marie met and fell in love with a young airman, Joseph R. Oliver, stationed at Keesler Air Force Base. They later married and she became a military wife. In 1951, she gave birth to her only child, Rana (pronounced Renee) Elizabeth Oliver. Her military life afforded her the opportunity to travel the world. Upon her husband�s retirement in 1973, they settled in Chicopee, MA. Marie then embarked upon a second career with the Department of Defense. After a very successful career, she retired in 1996 as a Department Manager. Marie had a passion for everything military. She served as MA State President of the Disabled Veterans of America Auxiliary for a number of years. She was also a good bowler, winning many trophies in the Massachusetts area. After retirement, Marie returned home to Ocean Springs, MS, and developed a new passion for the leisurely life of crabbing and fishing, and shooting the breeze with her friends at Kenney�s Bait Shop where she�s known as �that feisty little lady with a heart of gold.� Marie also still traveled back and forth from Ocean Springs to California to spend time with her daughter. On Mother�s Day last year, her daughter gave her a Kindle Fire tablet and she developed her new passion. This time for technically player�s game on Kindle. She leaves to cherish her memory, her beloved daughter, Rana Oliver-Guiro & her son-in-law, Ibrahima Guiro of Oakland, siblings from another union, and a host of relatives and friends. Services will be held at 11:00 am Friday, September 4, 2015 at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church with visitation one hour before. The family of Ms. Marie Oliver has entrusted her care to the professional staff of Richmond-August Funeral Home.