Samuel L. Oliver (5-25-11)

Gainesville has lost another person whose contributions to this community and to his family can never be measured.
Samuel L. Oliver passed away Wednesday, May 25, 2011, at Emory University Hospital, after a short battle with leukemia, at the age of 68.

Sam was a member of the law firm of Hulsey, Oliver & Mahar, LLP and specialized in the areas of corporate and business law, estate planning and banking.

While working his way through college, Sam was an honors graduate with an A.B. from the University of Georgia. He earned his law degree from the University of Georgia School of Law while serving as editor of the Georgia Law School Law Review publication.

Following graduation from law school, Sam served in the United States Navy as a judge advocate general, and upon his discharge in 1969, he joined the law firm of Kenyon, Gunter, Hulsey, Sims and Oliver, currently known as Hulsey, Oliver & Mahar, LLP.

Sam was a founding director of GB&T Bancshares and its predecessor, Gainesville Bank & Trust, serving on the board from its beginning until the bank's acquisition by SunTrust.

Sam served on numerous local, community and civic boards. He served for 12 years (1980–1992) as a member of the Gainesville Board of Education, chairing this board from 1983–1986. He also was a member and chairman of the Northeast Georgia Community Foundation and the Gainesville College Foundation.
Sam was a former trustee of the Quinlan Arts Center, past member of the Gainesville Planning Commission, and as a member of Kiwanis, he was a past president and lieutenant governor. He also was a member of Chattahoochee Country Club, serving as a past president.

As a member of Grace Episcopal Church, he served on the governing board for three terms and as senior warden for two terms. Sam currently is a member of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, Hayesville, N.C., where he serves as senior warden for the vestry.

As committed as Sam was to his career and to his community, nothing exceeded his commitment and love for his family. His first priority was to be a role model and mentor for his children and grandchildren. He was totally successful in meeting this goal, and they are his continuing legacy.

A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, May 28, at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 495 Herbert Hills Drive, Hayesville, NC 28904. The Revs. John Rice and Don Harrison will officiate.
Sam was born May 31, 1942, in Toccoa, Ga., the son of the late Lamar Oliver and Mary (Chandler) Oliver.

Sam is survived by his loving wife, Jane Oliver of Gainesville; son and daughter-in-law, Eric and Jammie Oliver; daughter and son-in-law, Susan (Oliver) and Scott Brown; son, David Oliver and Shauna Delong, all of Gainesville; grandchildren, Sloan Oliver, Sam Oliver, Ethan Dodds, Sawyer Brown, Samuel Rhett Brown and Kaelan Delong; and brother, Bob and Jean Oliver of Braselton, Ga.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to one of the following charities: Emory Winship Cancer Institute, Development Office, 1762 Clifton Rd., Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30322, Designate "In Memory of Samuel L. Oliver;" Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 677, Hayesville, NC 28904; North Georgia Community Foundation, 615 Oak St. NW, Gainesville, GA 30501.

Visitation will be held Friday, May 27, 2011, from 4 to 7 p.m., at the Quinlan Visual Arts Center, 514 Green St., N.E., Gainesville.

Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel, Gainesville, is in charge of arrangements.