In Celebration of Martha E. Oliver (Willow)

Amir Royale is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

WILLOW, MRS. ETERNAL ( A Celebration of the Life of Martha E. Oliver)

Sunrise: September 26th, 1928

Sunset: February 11th, 2023

South Carolina Wake | Fulmer's Funeral Home ( 3339 Surrey Race Rd, Springfield, SC 29146 )

South Carolina Funeral | Smyrna Baptist Church ( 541 Warbonnet Rd, Springfield, SC 29146 )

New York Memorial | American Legion Benjamin Moore Post 1946 ( 204-03 Linden Blvd, St. Albans, NY 11412 )

Any and all donations collected will be used for the following...

Mama's Funeral Expenses & Proceedings ($12,000 respectively & transparently)

Medical Masks (preferably Black) & Medical Gloves (preferably Blue or White) [COVID PRECAUTIONS]

Dining (To ensure all respective members of immediate family, extended family, close friends, performers, AND acquaintances — or even kind souls who encountered and were blessed by Mama's presence most recently — may be able to celebrate her life and nourish themselves in his presence hopefully for FREE, comfortably.)

Lodging (To ensure all respective members of immediate family, extended family, close friends, performers, AND acquaintances — or even kind souls who encountered Mama and were blessed by her presence most recently — can book living space hopefully for FREE if arriving from out of town.)

Transportation (To ensure all respective members of immediate family, extended family, close friends, performers, AND acquaintances — or even kind souls who encountered Mama and were blessed by her presence most recently — can travel to any and all memorials, wakes, initial viewings, the funeral, burial & even our homes/estates here in New York & South Carolina hopefully FREE, with no worries of how to reach out and love or support Mama the way THEY may wish.)

None of these are mandatory and neither is your donation.

We know that our loving "Willow" (nicknamed for her historical wisdom and everlasting legacy) would have wanted everyone to be able to show their love and appreciation emotionally, spiritually, mentally, and physically however THEY felt most comfortable. Simply because she always provided room for others to help or support her if they so desired (even when she found it hard to ask them to do so).

Thus, we thank you in advance for your kindness and support — and if you cannot donate, we thank you for your consideration and prayers just as well. We love you and SHE loved you — nothing in the world will ever be able to circumvent that.

MARTHA E. OLIVER

Martha Ellison Oliver (“Willow”) — born in Salley, South Carolina — is the ninth oldest of ten children of Floster “Tan” Ellison (an agriculturalist and entrepreneur) and her mother Nora Miles Ellis (an herbalist and caregiver). Mrs. Oliver graduated from Schofield Normal & Industrial High School in June 1945 and then went on to study Social Studies & Sciences at Benedict College, graduating in 1949.

Post her university studies, Martha married her husband Robert “Tack” Oliver Jr. on December 3rd, 1949, while he was stationed at Fort Jackson, South Carolina during the Korean War Conflict of World War II. Martha and Robert exchanged their vows on her father’s porch at the Ellison Estates in Salley, South Carolina. They were married for 72 years before Robert’s passing on September 22nd, 2021. Martha soon moved with her husband to Detroit, Michigan in 1952 where she was employed as a middle school teacher. In 1955, Martha gave birth to their first and only son, Robert Rodney “Prince Royale” Oliver III on December 23rd. In 1958, Willow and her family moved to South Ozone Park, New York with her sister Allie Mae Ellison-Wilson. In 1959, they became members of New Covenant Church of Christ Baptist Church where both Martha and Robert were charter members until their passing.

In 1961, Martha and her husband, Robert, purchased their current home in Saint Albans, New York. After working as a spa specialist and domestic worker for some years, Martha became a social worker for the Human Resources Administration at The Children’s Center in Manhattan, New York (103rd Street). In 1983, Martha went on to receive her Master’s Degree in Social Sciences & Psychology from Fordham University.

Since 1988, Martha and her husband became members of the Saint Albans Civic Association and in 1998, the family was then blessed with a grandson, Amir Angelo Garcia Ellison “Royale” Oliver, through their son Robert R. Oliver III. Amir is currently a graduate of Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts (where he studied Drama) since 2016 and is currently an alumni and adjunct professor at New York University’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music (where he studied Recorded Music & Business, with a minor in Cinema Studies) since December of 2019.

In 1994, Willow eventually retired and established Parent Leadership Institute, LLC (PLI) with her close friend and mentor Dr. Theatrice Gentry. Gentry originally developed Family Dimensions, Inc. as a parenting skills training program for HRA, helping at-risk families and children. Martha was the lead counselor, facilitator, and clinical therapist of PLI for children, parents, and families for 30+ years helping with healing & returning over 4000 adolescents from foster care to their kin and homes across South Carolina, Alabama & New York City. As of 2000, Martha had served as president and vice president of the St. Albans Civic Association, as well as the 195th Block Association, while Tack had served as the financial officer for both associations throughout their humanitarian careers. After 15 years of attending meetings, Martha and Robert became members of the Democratic Club in 2015.

Willow’s presence has touched many throughout the world, our communities, and our personal lives. As a clinical therapist, wondrous mother, eternal grandmother, and gorgeous, supporting wife — Martha E. Oliver made it her life mission to bring wisdom, peace, hope, love, warmth, empathy, and positivity to any, and all rooms, she entered. Even after leaving one — even after leaving this Earth — Willow and her memories are hardly forgettable. Martha will be sorely missed. Until next time, whenever and wherever that may be — we look forward to our times in eternity together. Ciao.