FRED ARNOLD OLIVER was born November 29, 1929, in Birmingham, Alabama, to his parents, Leda Lowe
Arnold and Tom P. Harris. Fred came from a large family and his brothers and sisters included Minnie, Clinton,
William, Arthur, Dorothy, May, and Johnni Ruth.

Fred, who attended elementary school in Birmingham, left school during the sixth grade to help his family. Due
to his mother's struggling health and financial hardship, Fred was unofficially adopted by a local preacher and
family friend, Reverend Allen Wilson Oliver, and his wife, Reverend Oliver, who was a well-educated man that
spoke several languages and instilled in Fred the love of God and a strong sense of responsibility, which guided his
life. Fred's first job as a teenager was driving an ice truck. Although he held various other jobs, he would later find
that driving was his occupational calling. Fred served in the U.S. Army and obtained the rank of Sergeant while
fighting in the Korean War. To ensure that Reverend Oliver's widow was cared for while he was in the service,
Fred, with the army's permission, enlisted as Fred Arnold "Oliver" so part of his salary could be sent to the widow
each month. During his time in Korea, Fred often spent his leave in Japan, where he developed a deep love for the
culture and people.

After serving in the military, Fred returned home to Birmingham, where he met his first wife, Arnita Colley. They
were united in holy matrimony on August 3, 1954. Fred relocated with his wife and their young family to Jersey
City, New Jersey, in 1955. While living in New Jersey, Fred held several jobs before finally finding his calling as a
tractor trailer driver and teamster. Fred was one of the teamsters first black tractor trailer drivers in New Jersey
and drove for over thirty years.

Fred and Arnita later divorced and Fred raised his kids as a single parent for many years before ultimately finding
the love of his life, Ms. Tina Tisdale. Fred and Tina were married on December 6, 1980, and remained married
until her passing in 2014.

Fred was the father of six sons, James, Fred, Percy, Allen, Leon, and Milton, and four daughters, Barbera, Peggy
Ann, Jeanette, and Laura Ann; the grandfather of fifteen, Selena, Robin, Raymond, Allon, Jazmen, Treonie,
TaLesha, Aaron, Nicole, Imani, Milton, Jairus, Herrllyse, Candice, and Jason; and the great-grandfather of
many. Fred was also the uncle of Forrest, Steven, Gregory, Stanley, Vickie, Anna Marie, Paul, Latahsa, Mary, and
countless others.

Fred's life was dedicated to loving and caring for his wife, children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and their
spouses. He was most proud of his children and grandchildren's educational accomplishments. He attended
graduations from University of Hartford, University of Alabama in Birmingham and Huntsville, Rutgers
University, and Princeton University, to mention a few.

Fred led a simple life and was not interested in material things. He believed in helping people and used his skills
and finances to bless people not just monetarily, but with the sweat of his brow and the gift of his time.
Fred loved to work with his hands and was a fast learner. During his life, he learned carpentry, plumbing, and
even welding in his eighties. He used these skills to help others, often at no charge. Although he never finished
grade school, he always desired to learn to read. This desire led him to return to school in his eighties to learn to
read. He was featured in the local newspaper for his passion for reading.

Fred was a long-time member of Twenty Second Avenue Baptist Church, where he served as a Trustee and head
of the Repairs Committee before leaving to join New Beginning Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor
Jerome Fields.

Fred was a no-nonsense type of man who was known to be very outspoken and would tell you the truth, whether
you wanted to hear it or not. Fred was a family man and went out of his way to be there not just for his kids, but
also for his nieces and nephews, standing in the gap for his family members who had gone before him.
Fred led a good life. He loved God and walked upright in his sight. His memory will be cherished by his family
and friends. He will be greatly missed.