Obituary
Guest Book
1931
2012
Lawrence H. "Sonny" Oliver Sr., 81, of Lumberton, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012, at UNC Health Care in Chapel Hill.
He was born to the late Garvin Brooks "Bud" Oliver and Gladys Marie Britt Oliver on Oct. 19, 1931, in Robeson County.
He attended school at Long Branch Elementary School, Orrum High School and Lumberton High School. He later attended college at Pembroke State University.
Sonny was a U.S. Army veteran, who served our country during the Korean War and was in the 101st Airborne Division. He was stationed at Fort Campbell in 1955.
He worked at Jon-San Chevrolet from 1960 to 1981 and was the leading salesman for General Motors for 15 years straight. He was inducted as a member of the "Hall of Fame" in the Honor Members Club. In 1976, Sonny sold 2,769 new and used vehicles, setting a world record that has not been broken by an individual salesman.
Selling Chevrolets was not his only dream in life. In 1978, the first "Sun-Do" convenient store was opened on Highway 72 in Lumberton. In 1979, he opened up his own oil company called Oliver's Oil Co. Over time, the oil company expanded across North Carolina and South Carolina with 15 company-owned stores today. Oliver Oil Co. has been proudly mentioned as one of the top 100 privately owned small businesses in North Carolina.
Sonny served several years as the training union director, taught Adult Sunday school classes and sang in the choir at Long Branch Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by his brothers, G.A. Oliver and Jimmy Oliver, and sisters, Edna Oliver Eberley and Marie Oliver.
Left to cherish his memory are wife, Doris Storms Oliver of Lumberton; children, Lawrence Oliver Jr. and wife Janet of Lumberton, Christopher Oliver and wife Scarlett of Lumberton, Pamela Oliver Thornton and husband Will of Wilmington, Brooks Oliver and wife Nicohl of Lumberton, and Donovan Oliver and wife Leigh of Lumberton; 11 grandchildren, Matthew Oliver, Caitlin Oliver, Blair Adcock, Meredith Oliver, Jesse Oliver, Avery Oliver, Christin Oliver, Olivia Oliver, Hilary Oliver, Cole Oliver, and Bromley Thornton; a great-grandchild, Kaden Turner; and several nieces and nephews who he loved dearly.
The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 tonight, Saturday, Dec. 29, 2012, at Biggs Funeral Home.
A funeral service will be conducted at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in Long Branch Baptist Church. He will be laid to rest in Gardens of Faith.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
December 31, 2012
elton connor
best wishes to dot the girl and all the boys sonny was A hard worker and will be missed by lot people
December 30, 2012
To the family of Sonny, we pray for comfort in your time off loss
Jeff Britt ( Lumberton NC)
Micheael Britt
Teresa Britt Driggers
December 30, 2012
Ann Haywood
Your family is in our prayers and thoughts
December 30, 2012
SONNY WAS MY EMPLOYER FOR 27 YEARS. HE WAS ALSO MY GOOD FRIEND. WE LOVED WORKING TOGETHER. ALONG WITH DOT WE
WORKED HARD BUT ENJOYED SOME GOOD TIMES.
SONNY WAS A PEOPLE PERSON AND LOVED SELLING CARS. WHEN
HE CHANGED CAREERS AND WENT INTO THE OIL CO, BUSINESS HE
GAVE IT HIS ALL. HE WAS A NATURAL SALESMAN AND WAS HAPPIEST WHILE DOING SO. WHEN ASKED WHY HE NEVER TOOK A VACATION, HE ALWAYS REPLYED. I ENJOY WHAT I DO, SO I DON'T
NEED A VACATION. HE WAS SO MOTIVATED, AND HAD SUCH A STRONG DESIRE TO SUCCEED. IT WAS TOUGH KEEPING UP WITH HIM. I LOVED HIM AS MY FRIEND, HE WAS GOOD TO ME.
I LOVE HIS FAMILY, DOT AND AND ALL THE OTHERS. I FEEL VERY CLOSE TO HIS CHILDREN, AS I WATCHED THEM GROW UP.
MY PRAYERS GO UP FOR THEM. I WILL ALWAYS MISS SONNY.
December 30, 2012
Dot and family - we are sorry for your loss. He was a terrific person. God bless you all. Elvin and Faye (Brenda Kay) Freeman!
December 29, 2012
Carl and Annette Lane
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
December 29, 2012
JAMES MCGIRT
God assist the Sonny Oliver family thru this difficult time.Sonny was a good car saleman who help me with one of my first car,he was good for Robeson County in the c-store business.
JAMES MCGIRT
GRACELAND FOODMART
December 29, 2012
Curtis West
Rest in peace, Sonny, I knew you as the best Car Sales Person Ever, when I was a young man, and your great achievements in our beloved Convenience Store Industry in the last years. We in the industry are all proud of your accomplishments.
December 29, 2012
Alex and Vicki Graham
Sonny was a unique and likeable man. We all have such fond memories of him as we bought our first cars and remained loyal to him through the years. Our best to the family as you grieve and celebrate his life.
December 29, 2012
Jeanette Herring
Sonny fought a good fight and is safe in the arms of Jesus. We will remember all of you in our thoughts and prayers.
Jeanette & Krista Herring
December 29, 2012
May God grant you peace and comfort in the loss of your loved one. Sonny was quite an extraordinary man. Cheryl and Dick Page
December 29, 2012
Yuki and Mike Graves
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family!
December 29, 2012
David Huggins
Sonny was a great salesman and person, We enjoyed when he would come to the shoe shop to have his shoes shined. You are in my thoughts and prayers, Love to the family.
December 29, 2012
Randolph Browning
To Dot and all the family, we will be praying for all of you!!
We have very fond memories of Sonny and the things we shared while we lived there and was the pastor of Long Branch.
May God Bless each of you!!
December 28, 2012
Hollis Sutton and Family
You are in our prayers
December 28, 2012
The Staff of Biggs Funeral Home
Offering our deepest sympathies during this time.
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Funeral services provided by:
Boles-Biggs Funeral Home - Lumberton801 North Chestnut Street, Lumberton, NC 28358
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