Born on May 26, 1958 in Crewe, Virginia
Passed on December 29, 2024
Pastor Clyde N. Oliver of Melbourne, Florida went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, December 29, 2024, at the age of 66. He was born in Crewe, Virginia on May 26, 1958 to Douglas Lee Oliver Jr. & Betty Sue Oliver (Jones).
Clyde graduated from Nottoway Senior High School where he was a member of the debate team, DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America), and a member of track & field. Following high school, Clyde worked a few jobs, until the Lord asked him, “When are you going to do what I told you to do?” At that point, he quit his job and went to serve in ministry at True Apostolic Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ (now known as the Temple of Judah Ministries) in Richmond, Virginia. Clyde began to work at the church and worked another job as well. During this time, he had begun listening to Kenneth Copeland on the radio, which had a great impact on his life and spiritual walk.
In 1979, the Lord instructed him to move his family from Richmond, Virginia to Fort Worth, Texas, where he served on the staff of Kenneth Copeland Ministries for 11 years as Tape Production Supervisor, Crusade Sales Manager, and Prayer Minister. These foundational years proved to be fertile training ground for hands-on opportunities for mentorship, scriptural principles of faithfulness, and servanthood. Clyde received his formal Bible training in 1980 – 1981 at the Overcoming Faith Bible Training Center in Fort Worth, Texas under Dr. Jerry Savelle. In 1988, Clyde married the love of his life, Marion Johnson, at Grace Temple in Fort Worth, Texas (Pastors Harold and Lou Nichols).
In 1990, Clyde, Marion, Colette and Douglas moved to Melbourne, Florida. Following this transition, Clyde Oliver Ministries was founded and on Easter Sunday, April 15, 2001. Clyde and Marion opened and began pastoring Maranatha Christian Center, at the instruction of the Lord, “Add to what you are doing.”
Since 1990, Pastor Clyde Oliver has left a legacy in the Body of Christ in Central Florida and around the world, through his ministry as a pastor, an evangelist, Bible college teacher, and conference & Camp meeting speaker. In addition to preaching the Gospel throughout the United States since 1990, he also ministered in Europe, Asia, Africa, Central America, Australia, the islands of the South Pacific, and the Caribbean. Countless people around the world have come to love his quote, “God has plans for you and none of them include defeat!”
The emphasis of Pastor Oliver’s ministry has always been centered around developing maturity in the believer. He was licensed and ordained with Eagle Mountain International Church (a.k.a. Kenneth Copeland Ministries) & Faith Christian Fellowship International and was a member of other ministerial affiliations throughout his time in ministry. Pastor Oliver accepted and received the salvation of Jesus Christ at age 5 and walked with the Lord as a faithful servant for 61 years. He preached the Word of God for 50 years, beginning with his first sermon at age 16.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 37 years, Marion Oliver; his children Colette Harp (Monty), Douglas Oliver and Dominique Vincent; his granddaughters Tenisha Picinich & Tiónna Picinich; his mother Betty Sue Oliver and his siblings Melvin Maurice Oliver (Myriam), Gwendolyn Oliver Kirby (Mark), Dolly Oliver Scruggs (Michael), Kendra Oliver Monroe (Michael), Anita Oliver Johnson (Theodore), Tammi Oliver Jones (Bobby), and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and a very special uncle, Clarence Oliver. He was preceded in death by his father Douglas Lee Oliver Jr., and his brother, Douglas Lee Oliver III.
Pastor Clyde Oliver’s homegoing service will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at Freedom Christian Center located at 7250 Lake Andrew Drive, Melbourne, Florida. Viewing hours will be 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM, with the service beginning at 1:30 PM. Interment to follow at Florida Memorial Gardens, Rockledge, Florida.
In lieu of flowers, consider making a donation to Clyde Oliver Ministries, in honor of Pastor Oliver’s life and ministry:
In August of 2016 I drove to Florida from New York with my son after hearing that my ex-husband had had his 9th heart attack and was in multiple organ failure and in critical condition in Daytona Beach. We had not seen him in over 10 years and our son was listed as next of kin to make all the decisions regarding his welfare.
To say the least it was a very stressful and emotional time for us. Unfortunately he passed away within 12 hours of our arrival. Our son was then responsible for the funeral arrangements for his estranged father, who had been on disability and previously homeless. With no Hippa forms signed and no identification to speak of, things were difficult!
Death is never a timely matter but at the time of my ex-husbands passing my current husband's job ended abruptly and we were now with a 1/4 of our income.
After 24 hours in Daytona we drove to Melbourne Florida 1.5 hours away to visit my father and other family. I had not been able to visit Dad in person in over 4 years. When I arrived I found my father in congestive heart failure and renal failure and without any medical insurance. He had not taken medication in 6 months.
Very long story short this started an unexpected 2 1/2 month stay in Florida . I continued to finalize funeral arrangements in Daytona 3 days a week for my ex-husband and taking care of my own fathers medical needs.
It was determined that my father could no longer live alone. This meant we needed to find assisted living for him because he wanted to stay in Florida. I would also need to close up and vacate his apartment, all while taking care of dads medical needs which included multiple hospital stays, rehab, pneumonia, dialysis, PT. OT, and daily nursing care.
After a month of this schedule I was beyond exhausted!!! I was away from my home, my husband, my church family, my mother, and all my friends. I was grateful for some family help in Florida, but I needed God to help me find a like minded church family where I could be built up in my spirit for the remainder of the time that I would be in Florida., how ever long that would be.
I asked God to bring a church to me and he did just that. He woke me up at 3 am and gave me the name of the Maranatha Christian Center. I looked it up on the internet and There was Pastor Clyde's And Pastor Marion's pictures. I was in church the next morning. When I entered the church Clyde greeted me in the foyer. It felt like I had known him my whole life. I cant explain it!!! I met Pastor Marion a few moments later as I entered the sanctuary.
I was so hungry for the worship that was offered and the word was so rich and the Holy Spirit was so tangible. Pastor Clyde Asked how I heard of them and I told him and I shared how It had come to be that I was in Florida.
He and Pastor Marion connected me immediately with other woman in the church who could help me with services for my dad. They offered me medical counsel for my father based on their extended knowledge of Florida health care. They loved on me! Pastor Clyde made me laugh, He encouraged me, He lovingly and gently offered advice and He never compromised on the word of God. He taught his church family to serve others and he made God Jesus and Holy Spirt His number on priority. and His family Next!!! A man of integrity and an incredulous laugh that would make anyone smile.
For the last 9 years I have spoken to Pastor Clyde minimally a few times a month since I have been home(Dad moved back to NY with us until his passing 2 years ago ). We found out we had the same birthdate. We knew and respected the same fathers of the faith and would often talk about them. Ok I talked a lot and he would reply often with a thumbs up.
He always directed every prayer request back to the word of God. I would often find myself sharing with my husband if Pastor Clyde and Marion ever came to New York They had family here. There are so many things I wanted to show you.
You may think I'm a bit obsessive but when you love someone who touched your core Like Pastor Clyde and Pastor Marion have touched mine how can you do anything but love. You will never know how much you both impacted my life all those years ago and still do.
I pray for future times together with you and the Melbourne Church family I consider my home away from home.
Pastor Marion and family, Im praying for you for peace comfort, and much love.
Pastor Clyde I hope you can have time to go to a car show and that know one touches your hair lolol.
I love you all.
Born on May 26, 1958 in Crewe, Virginia