James Hester Oliver, 72, of Columbus, MS passed away Thursday, October 20, 2016, at his residence.

Visitation will be held Sunday, October 23, 2016, from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM at Fairview Baptist Church, Columbus, MS. Funeral Services will follow at 2:00 PM with Bro. Sammy Crawford officiating and Bro. Breck Ladd assisting at Fairview Baptist Church. Interment will be in Mt. Zion Baptist Church Cemetery, Columbus, MS with Lowndes Funeral Home directing.

Mr. Oliver was born November 29, 1943, to the late Thomas Hester and Blanche Morris Oliver in Montgomery County, MS. He was a sales representative for CECO for 43 years and a member of Fairview Baptist Church, Columbus, MS. He was a deacon at Fairview Baptist Church where he taught Sunday school for over 40 years and coached girls' softball and won 5th place in the American Softball Association Ladies Church Nationals in 1983. Mr. Oliver also enjoyed fishing, NASCAR races, watching college football—especially Ole Miss; but most importantly he loved spending time with his family.  In addition to his parents, Mr. Oliver is preceded in death by his wife-Mittie King Oliver.

Mr. Oliver is survived by his wife-Lynn Claxton Oliver, Columbus, MS; daughters-Debra (Carey) Butler, Columbus, MS and Alicia Claxton, Franklin, TN; son-Bradley (Karen) Claxton, Albemarle, NC; sister-Lena (Sebren) Cook, Columbus, MS; grandchildren-Rebecca Claxton, John James Butler, and Jonathon Claxton.

Pallbearers will be Sandy Sanders, Don Davis, Bobby Brandon, Doug Gaydon, Roger Shivers, and Jerry Hodson. Honorary Pallbearers will be James Oliver's Sunday School Class.

Memorials may be made to Fairview Baptist Church, Louisiana Flood Recovery Fund, 127 Airline Road, Columbus, MS 39702.