Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The death of Doris Oliver of Tifton, Georgia, and formerly of Troy, on March 2, 2024, was a time for looking back, with admiration and deep lasting appreciation by those who knew her and her husband, the late Bob Oliver. The couple was well-known for the role they played in bringing new life and vitality to downtown Troy during the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Earl Ellis, owner of Landmark Realty, Troy, said back during that time period little was going on around Troy’s downtown square and the Olivers thought they could bring business to downtown Troy.

The couple didn’t look as the vacant buildings around the square as empty, rather as filled with potential.

The Olivers made wise investments in the purchase of two buildings on the square. And anyone who lived in Troy and Pike County after the 1970s will remember Oliver’s Shoes and Stantons, Ellis said.

“In Troy, the name Oliver rather quickly became synonymous with business entrepreneurs. The Olivers were not risk takers; they made sound business decisions.

Stanton’s featured high-end merchandise for women and men. Oliver’s offered a large selection of shoes for men, women and children. People came from throughout Pike County and all around the area to shop Oliver’s Shoes and Stanton’s.

Doris Oliver had long been interested in real estate. She knew to be successful in business people had to be as important as the products they sold. Dedication, quality merchandise and excellent service were the by-words for the Olivers and their employees.

Stanton’s sold a quality line of accessories, including gold chains, which caught Bob Oliver’s attention. He was also attracted to diamonds. The Jewelers Showcase quickly became another successful business for the Olivers.

Bob Oliver’s willingness to buy and Doris Oliver’s interest in real estate were the catalysts for breathing even more new life into Troy’s downtown square.

Their positive impact on downtown Troy continues today.

The Bob and Doris Oliver family now owns several buildings in Troy’s downtown area including the historic Gellerstedt Building.

The Oliver family continues to play a role in the growth and development of apartments, including loft apartments around Troy’s downtown square. 

Rob Oliver lives in Cordell, ‘Georgia and he enjoys retail development as did his parents. He said his mom pushed him along.

“She got the idea for loft apartments back around 2008 and we started looking at buildings in downtown Troy,” Oliver said. “We started with the building behind Byrd Drugs with other plans to offer high-end apartments. The plan was for the loft apartments to be on the second and third floors of the Gellerstedt Building.”

Oliver said his mom was excited to be a part of the revitalization of Troy’s downtown and he is excited to be a part of the continuing growth around the square.” 

The Olivers have been a huge part of the Troy business community for more than half a century.

“There is no way to thank Doris, who continued to support and love Troy, until her death. There is no way to adequately thank the Oliver family for its dedication and commitment to our community,” Ellis said.

Doris Oliver leaves a legacy of commitment to the betterment of the place where she lived so that it would be better for those who come after her.”