Mercy Ministries provides a day shelter and services for Augusta's homeless population and is located on Fenwick Street. Mr. Oliver managed the organization's facilities, said Annette Drowlette, a board chair.

"It's a real blow to people involved in the ministry," she said.

Patricia Suzanne Rabon, treasurer for the board, said Mr. Oliver will be missed.

"He was a kind, generous, strong, no-nonsense man," she said. "You can't come up with enough adjectives to describe him."

Details about funeral arrangements were not immediately available, but Ms. Drowlette said a memorial service likely would be held in January and announced later.