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Charles Washington Oliver, 80, the husband of retired Elder, the Rev. Mary Brown-Oliver, serving Fairmont Heights UMC, died June 29. A Service of Celebration of Life was held July 6 at the Twelfth Street Christian Church in Washington, D.C., the Rev. Paul H. Saddler officiating.

Oliver was born in Winston-Salem, N.C., but his family moved to Washington, D.C., in early childhood. He was educated in Washington, D.C.’s public schools and graduated from Armstrong Senior High School in 1948.

He was drafted in 1951 and served until 1953 during the Korean Conflict.

He and Mary Brown were married in 1956 and had three children. She answered her call to ministry 25 years later, and he supported her throughout, while she served Westphalia UMC from 1983-1988, and Northwood-Appold until 1990. At that time she was appointed District Superintendent of the Washington Central District, later Washington-Columbia District, which she served until 1998. She then went to St. Paul in Oxon Hill until she retired in 2003. However, Brown-Oliver didn’t stay retired, and served Simpson-Hamline UMC for awhile, then in 2009 was hired by the district superintendent to fill in at Fairmont Heights UMC.

Oliver was employed for many years by the federal Department of Health, Education and Welfare; and later served with Fannie Mae as a corporate steward. For many years he was house-husband, helping to support his wife before and during her ministry and raising their children. It might even be said he spawned the house-husband industry.

From his earliest years, he was raised in the 12^th Street Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), where he served in many capacities. He was a junior usher, then senior usher, a member of the Christian Men’s Fellowship, Deacon Board, Elder Board and in the music ministry, singing with the sanctuary choir and the Men’s Chorus. He also served as Moderator, and was a member of the Interdenominational Church Ushers of America, both locally and nationally.

Some of his service in the church was in the kitchen. He had the role of “culinary maestro” for the church’s fellowship activities. He was known for his cream of wheat breakfast cereal, pancakes, cheese grits, baked goods, fried chicken and fish, dinner rolls and apple cobblers. The list goes on.

Survivors include his wife, sons Howard Oliver and Clayton Jay Oliver, and daughter Allyson O. Jones, and five grandchildren.

Condolences may be sent to Rev. Mary Brown-Oliver, 7205 Lois Lane, Lanham, MD 20706.