Edgar "Eddie" Oliphant, Jr.

Edgar “Eddie” Gene Oliphant, Jr.

Matthews, GA  –         After a long, hard-fought battle with cancer, Edgar “Eddie” Gene Oliphant, Jr., 58, loving husband to the late Michelle “Missy” Rhodes Oliphant and companion to his companion soul-mate Jennifer Jones Dowdy, entered into his eternal rest Thursday evening, December 3, 2020 at his residence in Matthews. Graveside services with military honors to celebrate his life will be held at 2:00 P.M. Thursday afternoon, December 10, 2020 at Ways Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Ed Chance officiating.  The family will receive friends at his home after the services.

Because of the family’s concern for public health and safety during this COVID-19 pandemic, the family requests that social distancing and other safety precautions be followed.  The wearing of face masks is strongly encouraged.

Born to the late Patricia Ann Hogland Oliphant and the late Edgar Gene Oliphant, Eddie grew up in the Hephzibah/Augusta area. Quitting school at the age of 16 in order to marry and to support his new family, he worked at Sibley Mills until the age of 18 when he decided to “be all he could be” by joining the Army, serving our country for twelve years. Of those twelve years, Sgt. Edgar Oliphant, 1st Armor Division, spent 7 ½ years in foreign service during the Gulf War and Desert Storm.  After leaving the Army in 1992, he worked as a Senior Service Technician with Toyota Forklifts of Augusta until earlier this year when his health prevented him from being able to work.  All of his life, Eddie was an industrious, hard worker. Having a special bond with his Uncle Charlie who lived in Matthews, he would spend summers as a boy in “the country”.  After his wife passed, Eddie moved to the country to live with his uncle and take care of him in his last days. In his spare time, Eddie enjoyed hunting, fishing, having people over on for Friday night bonfires and just living the good life—the “country” life.  He was known for always singing 70’s songs.  A man of his word, he was fair-minded, well respected, and could be counted on to do the right thing. Putting his emphasis on relationships, Eddie influenced others by his actions and encouraged them with affirmations to be and to do their best. Knowing Jesus as his Savior, he had a loving servant’s heart. Eddie was very compassionate, and looked for ways to help others, even strangers, in anyway he could.  His love for his family, whether his biological family or his “family” of friends, was unsurpassed and absolute.  Eddie leaves a void that cannot be filled, but his spirit lives on in the hearts of those he has left behind.

Other survivors include his three children, Tabatha O. Lyles (Ken) from Asheville NC, Edward G. Oliphant of Augusta, and Jessica M. Oliphant of Augusta; three siblings, Rebecca Schebler (Ronald) of Grand Junction CO, Ricky Oliphant (Treasa) of Augusta, and Teresa Snyder (Keith); seven grandchildren, Kaitlin Hunter, Taylor Oliphant, Christian Oliphant, Roger Oliphant, Keaton Daniel, Kaylee Egan and Turner Tice; one great granddaughter, Jacqueline Jane Powell; nieces, nephews, other extended family and many friends.