John "Raymond" Oliver was born on November 22, 1930 to the late John Raymond Oliver, Sr. and Emma Freeman Oliver.

He graduated from Atkins High School in 1948 and North Carolina Central College in 1952. After proudly serving his country for four years in the US Army, Raymond completed one year of law school at Howard University, then earned his Doctorate of Dental Surgery from the Howard University School of Dentistry in 1960.

Dr. Oliver married Ruth Clark (Oliver). They returned to Winston-Salem where he began his dental practice serving the greater Winston-Salem area. While providing quality and affordable oral health care for the community, he mentored several young dentists in his office and assisted them in establishing their own practices. He continued to practice dentistry for over 45 years until his retirement in 2006.

In the early 1960s Raymond Oliver, worked to integrate various segregated venues in Winston-Salem to include Reynolds Park Amusement area and roller skating rink, K&W Cafeteria, the Drive-In Movie theatre and the Dixie Classic Fair.

In 1968, Dr. Oliver purchased a shopping center to provide an opportunity for minority entrepreneurs to operate businesses in their community.

Dr. Oliver has been honored for his contributions to the quality of life of the community. He was recognized for his services as a dentist, and the many boards on which he served including The Mayor's Biracial Goodwill Committee, Winston-Salem Civic Ventures, Citizens Budget Advisory Council, East Winston Economic Development Task Force, Trustee of First Baptist Church- Highland Avenue, and the Board of Directors of the YMCA. Dr. Oliver served for ten years on the Central and Local Board of Directors for Mechanics and Farmers Bank. He was a member of national, state and local dental associations, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, National Association of Guardsmen, and the Bachelor Benedict Club.

Furthering his commitment to public service, Raymond Oliver mentored boys through the Best Choice Center for ten years as well as passionately serving and supporting the food pantry at First Baptist Church.

Raymond Oliver is a proud, sixth generation, descendant of Peter Oliver; a slave, skilled craftsman and potter, who bought his freedom from the Moravians of Old Salem. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Verda Oliver Morgan.

He transitioned on December 26, 2018 and leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Ruth C. Oliver and children Angela Oliver Battle (Samuel Battle), The Honorable Judge Aileen Oliver, Roland F. Oliver, Dr. John Mark Oliver (Dr. Pamela Oliver); and grandchildren, Jared Battle, Ayanna Battle, John Mark Oliver, Jr., Lauren Oliver and Miles Oliver, his brother Lawrence Oliver (Colleen Oliver) and many nieces and nephews.

A service in his memory will be held at 12:00 PM on Saturday, January 5, 2019 at First Baptist Church-Highland Avenue. Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. will give final rites at 10:30 AM, family visitation will begin at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to First Baptist Church-Food Pantry, 700 N. Highland Ave. Winston-Salem, NC 27101