Otis Oliver

Mr. Otis Martin “Bud” Oliver, 83, retired Chief District Court Judge, 17B Surry and Stokes, passed away at his home on Monday morning, July 12, 2021.  Mr. Oliver was born March 19, 1938, in Surry County, one of three children born to Dr. Otis and Helen Meyer Oliver.  He was a 1956 graduate of Mount Airy High School and played football under the legendary coach Wally Shelton.  During high school, he was president of the student council, and his vice president was Barbara Ann Jester, his high school sweetheart and future wife of 61 years.  Bud graduated from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and entered law school in 1963.  While at UNC, he served as an associate justice of the honor council.  After his graduation, he returned to Mount Airy and practiced law for 27 years.  During this time, he also served as city commissioner for 15 years.  He resigned as a commissioner to assume the office of District Court Judge.  He served in this position until 1994, when he was appointed chief.  He retired in January 2007, after 12 years of service, when he chose not to run for reelection.  During his tenure as Chief District Court Judge, Judge Oliver served on the Board of Trustees of the North Carolina District Court Judges’ Association.  He was awarded the Order of Long Leaf Pine by Governor Michael F. Easley and the Centennial Award for Professionalism and Service by the North Carolina Bar Association.  Mr. Oliver was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church and served faithfully in many capacities.  He is survived by his wife, Barbara Ann Jester Oliver of the home; a son, Eric Martin “Marty” Oliver of Pulaski, VA; a grandson, Hunter Anderson Oliver, now serving in the United States Air Force; a granddaughter, Christian Ashford Oliver of Greenville, SC; a brother-in-law, Lennie Rosenbluth of Chapel Hill; a niece and her husband, Beth and Tucker Webster of Miami, FL; and a nephew and his wife, Stephen and Amy Rosenbluth of Naples, FL.  In addition to his parents, Mr. Oliver was preceded in death by a son, Todd Hunter Oliver, 14; a sister, Pat Oliver Rosenbluth; and a brother, George Edgar Oliver.  A service of worship and celebration of Bud’s life will be held Wednesday, July 14, 2021, at 2:30 PM at First Baptist Church in Mount Airy, with the Rev. Jay Meadows and Dr. Roger B. Gilbert officiating.  A private inurnment will be held at a later date at Oakdale Cemetery.  The family will receive friends Wednesday from 1:00 until 2:30 PM in the Fireside Room at First Baptist Church.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, 714 North Main Street, Mount Airy, NC  27030; or a charity of the donor’s choice.  Moody Funeral Services in Mount Airy is serving the family.