John James (Jim) Olive
1966 - 2023
John James (Jim) Olive, 57, died unexpectedly at his home on November 26, 2023. He was born
November 9, 1966 in Gainesville, Florida, the son of John Gilbert Olive and Lula Mae (Smith) Olive.
While he lived predominantly in various locales in North Carolina, he lived briefly on the west coast
before settling in Winston-Salem for the last 15 years. Jim had many talents and worked at various jobs
including art restoration and construction, but mostly as a bartender where he was known for the gift of
relating compassionately to a wide range of people.
He was predeceased by his parents. Survivors include his brother Kenneth Olive and wife Janine Olive,
Johnson City, TN, his sisters Linda Rhodes and Brenda Darlene Shaffer and husband Jeff Shaffer all of
Knoxville, TN. Nieces and nephew include: Elizabeth Benson, Asheville, NC, Susan Olive, Elizabethton,
TN, Bradley Rhodes, Jakarta Indonesia, Lauren Rhodes, Brisbane, Australia, Holly Brooks and her
husband Tony Knoxville, TN, Courtney Golden and her husband Jeffrey, Lawrence, Kansas.
Jim was a kind compassionate man always willing to help others in need be it taking in friends in need of
temporary housing or adopting several rescue dogs. Jim was a pillar of his community, a staple, a
confidant, and a beloved friend to many. His laughter, wisdom, and unwavering support of his friends
will be profoundly missed.
We did not have enough time with you , my little brother, Jim. I am saddened to think that there will not be any more phone calls, video chats, funny videos, video calls so I could walk with you and your precious doggies. No more selfies with your beautiful smiling face. Will love you forever and will have a joyous reunion with you when my time here is done. Love, your second Mom and big sister Linda.
James 4:14 “Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”
Jim your life was too short and your departure was so sudden and unexpected. However, through your death we have learned how much you did for others that we never knew about. Your friends from across the years have reached out to the family to share their love for you and stories of your compassion which has been comforting to us. Your smile, laugh, and joy of living are no longer with us but remain in our hearts. We love you.
Rest in peace brother and friend!
Jim,
There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think about you. It has been tough not having your positive inspiration, or us just staying up late nights just talking and educating each other on things, we would even listen to podcasts together, I’m going to forever miss your laugh, those gorgeous blue eyes and those hugs and kisses you’d give me on my cheeks. I’ve never met a friend like you, thank you for being YOU. YOU WERE GOD SENT!
I love and miss you so dearly, I know you’re in heaven watching over all your love ones and friends.
Uncle Jim,
I regret that we lost touch. I remember going to see you in NC with my dad, your brother, and having such a good time. Your passing has taught me an important lesson about reaching back out after a misunderstanding a decade long. It brings me peace seeing just how many people loved you and were positively impacted by your love and kindness. Thanks for saving the pups along the years, I’ll keep doing the same with the cats…
Where do I start talking about my baby brother, Jim? We did so many things together throughout the years. As his youngest, older sister, I wanted a little sister. But, God gave us Jim instead. So, I pretended that he was my little sister . He was a trooper, for sure. I really miss my baby brother and always will but I will always love him. He has been added to my group of My Guardian Angels who live up in Heaven!