Mr. Otis "Big O" Whitfield

Otis Whitfield, fondly called “Big O” was born May 7, 1957 to the late Ethel and Richard Whitfield and Melvin Nelson in Valdosta, Georgia.

He was educated in the Valdosta City School System and graduated from Valdosta High School. While attending Valdosta High, he was a member of the basketball, football and track championship teams where he broke and set many records, that are yet to be broken.

He furthered his education at Fort Valley State College. He later enlisted in the United States Army where he served in Germany as a paratrooper.

If you wanted to have a good conversation with Otis, all you had to do was join him under a tree dressed in his favorite shirt, jogging pants, thick white socks and a pair of slides (no matter the weather) and talk about basketball, antique cars, racing cars, dominoes. There under the tree was guaranteed laughter and good company. Although “Big O” was big in name and size, he also possessed a big smile, big personality, full of humility, good thoughts and big love, all of which will be greatly missed.

Otis was granted eternal rest, Wednesday, January 14, 2015.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by two brothers: Mickey Nelson and Richard Whitfield, Jr.; his grandparents: Emma and Charley Hall, Fred and Rosa Whitfield, and Rufus and Rachel Nelson; and one granddaughter: Ranijah Amour Jones.

He leaves to cherish his memories his children: Matthew McGriff, Shantell Bell, Regina Mapp, Tenolia McKyer, Kimberly Phillips, Coretta Whitfield, Renel Whitfield, Micheal Sloan, Natayea Whitfield, Lahmese Mincey, Kendra Mincey and Rachea Robin McClain; six sisters: Alneatha Whitfield, Lois Sermons, Rachel Bradley, Stephanie Corbett, Melanie Stewart and Melvinya McGee; seven brothers: Grady Whitfield, Izeal Whitfield, Aubrey Whitfield, Charles Sermons, Marvin Nelson, Melvin Nelson, and James Nelson; four aunts: Rosa Lee Whitfield, Lucenda Whitfield, Beatrice Stoney, and Rose Nelson; sixteen grandchildren; six sisters in-law; five brothers in-law; special friends: Brenda Blue, Raqueal Nevels, Nadine Bell, Jethro Flucas (Tank), Cedric Scurry (Man-Man), Kagney Roundtree and Lacy Roundtree; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

The celebration of life for the late Mr. Otis Whitfield will be held Saturday, January 24, 2015 at 11:00am from the sanctuary of West Hill Church of Christ.

Bro. Zebedee Moore will officiate.

Interment will follow in the Pallbearers Cemetery.