Reverend Oliver J. Quarles, Jr.

Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle, Reverend Oliver J. Quarles, Jr., affectionally called “Little Jim,” gained his wings and went home to be with our Heavenly Father at the age of 86 years. He was born on June 18, 1931 in Panola, Alabama to Oliver and Lillie (Halsell) Quarles.

As a young child, Jim attended St. John’s Baptist Church where he accepted Christ as Lord and Saviour. He attended school in Panola, Alabama, graduating from North Sumter High School. He later graduated from the Bible theological institution of Tennessee. Jim was a member of United Missionary Baptist Church, Saginaw, Michigan. He retired from General Motors (Chevrolet Grey Iron) in 1983. Jim was a member of King James Lodge #109 District #8 International F&AM Masons. He was a veteran of the United States Army, serving during the Korean Conflict.

Oliver enjoyed hunting, fishing, working on lawn mowers, reading the Bible, talking to his nieces and nephews on Sunday, watching wrestling and spending time with his buddies at McDonald’s Restaurant on Holland Avenue. His favorite saying was “I’m just kicking up a little dust!”

Reverend Quarles leaves to cherish loving memories his devoted wife of 64 years, Mrs. Laura L. Holt Quarles; his children, Douglas, Bernice (Eddie) Bandy, Saginaw, Michigan, Darnice Porter, Reynoldsburg, Ohio, and O’Neil (Sandra) Quarles, Washington, D.C.; thirteen grandchildren, two whom he raised as his own, Montraveus (Kim) Quarles, Plainwell, Michigan and DeAngelo Quarles, Saginaw, Michigan; twenty great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; five sisters, Almonia Burrell, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Bertha (Aaron) Pruitt, Walpole, Massachusetts, Eleanor Taylor, Lillie Thomas and Geneva (Jack) Long, all of Saginaw, Michigan; mother-in-law, Leodis Washington, High Point, North Carolina; seven sisters-in-law, Lueada (Arthur) Rogers, Spartanburg, South Carolina, Bettie (Augusta) Stanton, Chicago, Illinois, Sadie (Melvin) Washington, High Point, North Carolina, Lillie Atkins, Clara Washington, Saginaw, Michigan, Elvina Jones, Aliceville, Alabama, Lizzie Quarles, Hermitage, Tennessee; one brother-in-law, George E. Turner, Sr., Gainesville, Alabama; two uncles-in-law, Jimmie Turner, Walter (Laura) Lyons, Saginaw, Michigan; three godsons, J.D. Brown, Wendell Smith, and Dennis Harris, all of Saginaw, Michigan; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends including Versey Dyson, Julia Bady, Bobby Ray and Reverend Nepoleon Jones.

When the second coming occurs, Jim will be reunited with those who preceded him in death; his children, Angelo and Oliver Quarles; his parents, Oliver and Lillie (Halsell) Quarles; brothers, John E. and John H. Quarles; sisters, McClure Atkins and Hazel Turner; two nieces, Joyce Beasley and Lecille Forte; brothers-in-law, Jim Atkins, Jim Burrell, Roosevelt and Bobby Washington; great-granddaughters, An’Tazia Johnson and Japeriay Quarles; and great-great-grandson, Thaddeus Rose, III.

The family expresses special thanks to the staff at St. Mary’s of Michigan Medical Center.