BERNIE CHEATOM OLIVER, age 71, of the Alto Community, passed away peacefully in his sleep at home on Thursday March 21, 2024. He was born on April 27, 1952 in the Pelham and Payne's Cove community, the son of Robert Cheatom Oliver and Allie Irene Phipps Oliver.

Bernie's father, Robert Cheatom Oliver, passed away when Bernie was a young child, and he was raised by his mother Irene, a single mother, in Payne's Cove, TN, and later in Monteagle, TN., where she worked as a cook for her sons Melvin and Jim at the Monteagle Diner. Bernie was very active in baseball youth and men's leagues. He was a student at Payne's Cove Elementary School, Monteagle Elementary School, and Grundy County High School.  As an adult, Bernie worked with his brothers Melvin and Jim Oliver at their restaurant, the Monteagle Diner, as a short order cook, butcher, and dinner chef.  Bernie later worked for several years, with brother Jim Oliver at the Smoke House Restaurant in Monteagle, TN, as lead chef, and restaurant manager.  After the Smoke House years, Bernie opened his own restaurant in Monteagle for a brief period, and later worked on various construction jobs. Bernie moved to Murfreesboro TN and for several years managed Storage Plex, the largest storage facility in Rutherford County, TN. Also, Bernie owned for several years, his own construction company, Allstar Construction, in Murfreesboro, TN. After retirement, Bernie moved to Alto, TN and continued to delve in construction projects.

Bernie Oliver was preceded in death by his father Robert Cheatom Oliver and mother Allie Irene Phipps Oliver. In addition to his parents, Bernie was preceded in death by brothers Melvin Oliver, Marvin Earl Oliver, Jim Oliver, sisters Joann Pace, and Geneva Patterson. And his beloved dog and constant companion, Coco.

Survivors include daughter, Melissa Oliver and husband Greg Perry, of Blairsville, GA and their children Kolby Perry and Kaleb Perry. Mr. Oliver's step daughter, Tracy Smith Aymett and husband David Aymett  and their children Blake and Jackson, of Murfreesboro, TN.  Surviving Nephews and Nieces include, Joan Smith and husband Johnny Ray Smith of Monteagle, TN, Robert Oliver of Chattanooga, TN, Betsy Oliver and husband Mike Bradford of Monteagle, Nancy Oliver of Monteagle, and James David Oliver of Monteagle, Ricky Meeks and wife Dinah Bone Meeks of Monteagle, Shelia Fay Myers (Billy Wayne Myers) of Monteagle, TN, Clint Pace and wife Christie Pace of Tracy City, Theresa Patterson Compton and husband Jerry Compton of Murfreesboro, TN, and Eddie Patterson and wife Susan Patterson of Murfreesboro, TN.

There will be an informal casual gathering of family and friends at the Monteagle cemetery, on his birthday, Saturday April 27, at 2pm. Bernie requested to be cremated, and his ashes will be placed on his mother's grave, per his wishes.