This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, Annie Oliver, born on October 8, 1940, and passed away on April 18, 2021. We will remember her forever.
Feel free to share this site with friends and family members. Everyone is welcome to leave PICTURES, STORIES, and TRIBUTES here.
My mom, Ann, was a strong, proud, and caring person. She never knew a stranger. She looked for uniqueness and beauty in every individual. If she saw something special in someone, she would let it be known.
She would walk up to them and say, "are you a musician?” because of their style, or she would say, “are you a model?", if she considered them to be fashionable. The strange thing is, she was usually right. She had an eye for those that were unique and different because she was.
Mom was a music enthusiast. From Mozart, Marvin, Mahalia, Kem, Sam Cook, and Porgy and Bess to Tupac Shakur. She came from a long line of musicians. Fun fact . . . My mom's dad and Eddie Kendricks of the Temptations’ dad were brothers. All her sisters were singers with amazing vocals. Her brother, Edgar Kendricks, helped discover Sesame Street and opened the door for Luther Vandross, who was an unknown musician at the time. My mom loved singing and playing the piano with her baby brother Edgar.
She was very opinionated, and she would always lend you her ear and give advice. She didn't tell you what you wanted to hear, she told you what she felt you needed to hear.
My mom taught me so many things . . .
- No excuses.
- Never settle.
- Walk like you know where you're going.
- Brace your shoulders.
- Speak your mind.
- Dream big.
- Stand out . . . Never blend in.
- People are going to talk about you anyway, so give them something to talk about.
- Make sure when someone asks you to speak that you have something powerful to say.
- Watch what people do, not what they say.
She would always laugh and say . . . " You better give me my roses while I'm here, because I won't be here forever.” Then she would laugh and say . . . "let me give you yours too because neither will you!"
She fought a good fight. When her dementia took a turn for the worse, she went through many phases. Confusion, anger, rebellion, and eventually peace, to mention a few. For those of you that truly know my mom, you will understand this statement. When she was no longer giving her caretakers hell, I knew it was the beginning of the end.
Mom, thank you for loving me, challenging me, and motivating me. Your sisters and I laugh and share stories about you. Me, Steve, and the kids enjoyed summers, holidays and trips with you.
I am sure there is a full-blown concert going on up heaven. I love you Mom.
I can hear you saying... I LOVE YOU MORE. ♥️