Annie Vista Lee Oliver

Annie Vista Lee Oliver was born on August 5, 1948, in Portsmouth, Virginia, to the late William Hebert Gray and Willie Hope Gray. She was raised in a loving Christian home and received her early education at Union Kempsville High School. With a passion for learning and excellence, she went on to earn her Associate's Degree from both Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) and Tidewater Community College. Annie met the love of her life, Bobby Lee Oliver, and the two were united in holy matrimony in 1971. Their union laid the foundation for a beautiful family legacy grounded in faith, service, and love.

In the years following their marriage, Annie and Bobby settled in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where they lived for several years. In 1988, Annie returned to Virginia Beach, Virginia, where she would remain for the rest of her life. Upon her return, she joined New Jerusalem Church of God in Christ, where she faithfully served in various ministries. Annie was a devoted member of the Adjutancy Corps for the Church of God in Christ, both nationally and within the Virginia Second Jurisdiction. She was also a proud member of the B-Team Catering Ministry, a dedicated Usher, and a faithful member of the Chancel Choir.

Annie was best known for her extraordinary gift as a seamstress, a skill she developed alongside her mother, creating custom vestments for clergy at every level of the church. Together, they designed many of the late Bishop Barnett K Thoroughgood's garments, including a biblically inspired ephod tailored to scriptural specifications. After her mother's passing, Annie continued the mantle of ministry through sewing - crafting garments for Bishops and Pastors across the country. Most recently, she was honored to design custom vestments for the Presiding Bishop of the Church of God in Christ, Bishop J. Drew Sheard.

Her ministry lives on in every stitch, in every robe, and in every servant of God she adorned. Outside of ministry, Annie was a faithful employee of Sentara Health and later served Virginia Beach Public Schools, where she ultimately retired.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Gray, her daughter Tonya Oliver, her sister Mary Lassiter, and her beloved grandson and son, Joquan Oliver. She leaves to cherish her legacy and memories: her brother, Arthur Gray (Julie); her sons, Charles Oliver (Faye) and Bobby Oliver (Donna); her daughter, Ronda Crosby (Elvin); thirteen grandchildren; twenty-five great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.