Dr. Barbara Jean Brown-Oliver, affectionately known as Jean, was born February 16, 1952 in Richland County, South Carolina. She was the daughter of the late Willie James and Pearl Kelly-Brown. Barbara was predeceased by three brothers: James, Douglas and Kenneth Brown. She closed her eyes to sleep in the lord on Thursday, June 15, 2017, after a brief battle with a debilitating illness.

Dr. Oliver grew up in the Blythewood area and attended the public school system of Richland County. She, along with siblings, Shirley and Kenneth, were instrumental in integrating the school system, which was deeply segregated in the south in the mid-sixties. Out of this experience, she developed an awareness that all people are equal in the sight of God. She carried this awareness with her throughout her lifetime.  In 1970, she graduated with honors from Bethel-Hanberry High School.  After graduation, she attended Lincoln University in Pennsylvania and received her Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry/Pre-Med in 1974. Immediately after graduating college, she joined the United States Marine Corps with the intention of becoming a doctor. Because the Marines Corps, during this period, did not have their own medical field, 2nd Lieutenant Barbara Brown became a financial disbursing officer.  Due to her work ethic and acute attention to detail, Lieutenant Barbara Brown would rise to the right of captain before resigning her commission after six years and entering the Marine Corps Reserves.

First Lieutenant Barbara J. Brown married Staff Sergeant Clinzy Oliver of Millbrook, Alabama, and accompanied him with their twins to Okinawa, Japan. While in Japan, Mrs. Oliver was introduced to the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. After studying and worshiping with the Adventist community, Barbara rededicated her life to the Lord, becoming a faithful member of the Seventh-Day Adventist faith. This decision influenced others in her family to look within and ask God for a deeper understanding of the Lord. This understanding later influenced them to become Seventh-Day Adventists.

Dr. Barbara Oliver’s passion was to minister to the sick and afflicted by applying God’s eight natural laws of health: trust in God, exercise, water, sunshine, temperance, rest and air. Her goal was to teach other like-minded individuals to do the same.  Dr. Oliver was called into the Ministry of Natural Healing in 1991, where she founded Sonlight Resources Institute.  This ministry is threefold: to lift Christ to a fallen world; to preach the good news: that there is spiritual, mental and physical healing for all in Christ Jesus and to be a vehicle for the Holy Spirit to teach believers how to function as ambassadors for Christ.  This ministry blossomed into many other organizations to include: Sonlight Health & Wellness Center, Sonlight Bible Institute, Sonlight Heritage Academy and Sonlight Ministry Homes.

During Dr. Barbara Oliver’s life, she earned an associate degree in Respiratory Therapy, a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and Pre-medicine, a master’s degree in Christian Education and two doctoral degrees, a Ph.D. in Theology and an N.D. in Naturopathy.

Dr. Barbara Oliver will leave to cherish her memory and continue her legacy, her husband of 41 years, Gunner Sergeant (Ret.) Clinzy Oliver, Sr.; three children, stepdaughter and two adopted children: Dr. Africa T. Oliver, Clinzy Oliver, Jr. (retired Immigration Enforcement Agent), Lieutenant Colonel Jamal Oliver (United States Air Force), Ms. Kimatha Jones (nurse), Walter J. Oliver (United States Army), Ms. Khalilah Powell (Principal), and 17 grandchildren. She also leaves five sisters: Willie May Boykin-Silvera, Minnie (James) Anderson, Yvonne (McKinley) Williams of Blythewood, South Carolina, Shirley Brown-Nelson, also of Blythewood, and Patricia L. Brown of Columbia, South Carolina; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends who love and will miss her dearly.

Dr. Barbara J. Oliver lived a full life of happiness, joy and gratefulness.  However, she was always humble and never sought out the spotlight.  She stood upon the principle that service before self was her calling.  Her favorite saying that always kept her grounded in God was, “Not I, but Christ.” Dr. Barbara J. Oliver will surely and sorely be missed. We love you.