Oliver Louis Paige

Sunset and evening star and one clear call for me! That there be no moaning of the bar when I put out to sea… Crossing The Bar, Alfred Lord, Tennyson It was an overcast Saturday afternoon when Mr. Oliver Paige “crossed the bar” from the shackles of time into boundless eternity. His sun dawned on life’s horizon on the 14th day of August 1932 in Caroline County, Virginia. He was next to the youngest of eight, a quiet, reserved young man who received the example of education from his mother “Sis Lucy”. It was her love for education and her wish to be a teacher that became his guiding star. His upbringing was difficult, but he rose above all, graduating third in his class from Union high school in the area. An official in that school, Mr. Banks secured a scholarship for him to Virginia State College (now University) where he continued his academic education majoring in English education. Mrs. Rufae Holmes, a recruiter for I.C. Norcom High School in Portsmouth, Virginia, saw in Mr. Paige, a valuable addition to their English Department. His first students recognized his naiveté, but they also saw his gifted abilities. This would begin a long and successful career not just of teaching English, but of asking questions, shaping minds, and guiding young lives. Amid all this, there was a certain woman, Frances Revell who also taught English at Norcom. Her students had lunch with Mr. Paige’s students, introductions were made and they were married on April 2nd 1961 at Mt. Hermon Baptist Temple in Portsmouth. In 1962 they gave birth to a son Keith. Over time, neighborhoods changed as well as churches. In both Community Presbyterian and Woodville Presbyterian Mr. Paige excelled in both art, with bulletin boards and bookmarks, and in music as an organist, worship leader and Men’s Choir member. He was preceded in death by his parents Ruben Junius and Lucy Paige (nee’ Catlett) and his brothers: Junius Jr. Willis, James, Russell, Richard, Ruben, Steaven and a sister Lucy Mae Grant (Willam). Memories of his life will be cherished by his son Rev. Keith Paige, a stepdaughter Hadiyah Muhammed, his nieces Effie Richardson, Mary Hursey, Sherry Paige, and Jean Milbourne, nephews, Rev. Franklin Grant, Ronald Paige, Jerry Paige, Edwin Paige, and David Paige and a host of relatives, church members, former students, friends, and all who were touched by his anointed life. For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place The flood may bear me far, I hope to see my Pilot face to face When I have crost the bar.

Oliver Louis Paige

August 14, 1932 - April 5, 2025