IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Otis Roosevelt
Spellman
September 1, 1938 – March 29, 2022
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Otis Roosevelt Spellman transitioned from labor to reward on Tuesday, March 29, 2022.
Otis was born to Robert E. Spellman, Sr. and Thelma Overton Spellman, September 1, 1938. He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Hazel Walker Spellman; a son, Matthew Spellman(infant); brothers, Johnnie, Melvin, Robert Spellman, Jr. and stepmother, Shirley Spellman.
Otis grew up in Norfolk, VA and after graduating from Booker T. Washington High School, joined the United States Air Force. He served six years honorably, where he became a weather observer. As part of his duties, he learned how to read clouds.
He married his wife of 44 years, Hazel Walker Spellman in 1964. They were blessed with three daughters. Otis and Hazel were members of the Star of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Triangle, VA under the leadership of the late Dr. Fredrick S. Jones. Otis was called to the ministry in 1976 and was the 4 th of over 100 ministers called under Dr. Jones' leadership. Otis served faithfully as Assistant Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School Teacher, Wednesday Night Bible Class Teacher, Salvation Class Teacher for new members, Bus and door-to-door Outreach Ministry, and sang in the choir.
Otis attended Washington Bible College in Lanham, MD and Piedmont Community College, Charlottesville, VA. He retired after 23 years of service in the Federal Government as a Computer Programmer Analyst.
After his call to pastor the Galilee Baptist Church in 1979, he was ordained at the Star of Bethlehem Baptist Church in 1980. During his thirty years of service at Galilee Baptist Church, at least 15 preachers served along with him.
He relocated his family to Charlottesville, became employed at Centel, University of VA, and later retired from the Martha Jefferson Hospital. During this time while serving the Lord as a Pastor, he also was Gospel Co-Host on WLSA Radio, Louisa, VA; served as President of the Sunday School Union, Louisa, VA; Past 1 st Vice Moderator and Moderator of the James River District Association; member of University of Virginia's Health System Chaplaincy Professional Advisory Group; served in the Chaplaincy at University of Virginia under their Intern Program; s erved on the Board and as a volunteer for Advancing Native Missions, Missionary to London, England and Missionary to Kenya, Africa.
On September 4, 2010, Otis married his sweetheart, Janice Carey. They named their bond "ME & YOU". They were inseparable!
Otis was called to the Forest Baptist Church, Meherrin, VA in 2011. He faithfully served there for six years. There, the Lord blessed and alongside his wife, a spiritual family was made, a bond that cannot be broken. At the age of 80, God blessed him to be called to the Union Baptist Church, Waynesboro, VA. While there, a spiritual family was made, a bond that will not be broken. He and his wife love the people God placed in their lives.
You may notice the operative word in all he was blessed to do, is "served". Otis understood his assignment and that was to "serve" the Lord. His purpose and God's plan was realized, and he lived it out, he completed his assignment. Everywhere he was called to pastor, he made it a "family". He loved greatly!
Otis' love, legacy, and sweet memories will be remembered by his loving wife, Janice Carey Spellman; daughters, Jacqueline (Jackie), Veronica (Ronni) Spellman, of Louisa, VA and Sanada (NadaNada) Spellman of Middle River, MD; three grandchildren, LaQuinta, Sharida, and Qwenton Spellman; six great grandchildren, Diamoni, Dimarion, Anari, Tymir, Hazel, and Haziah; one sister, Kristin Spellman, Baton Rouge, LS; extended family, Kim Brickhouse, Norfolk, VA, Sheldon (Sharon) Brickhouse, Raleigh, NC; his wife's family, Marcus (Tonya) Jones and Kristi Jones; eight grandchildren, and four great grandchildren; three sisters in-law, Rev. Beulah Spellman, Ashburn, VA, Jennifer Spellman, Denver, CO and Patricia Carey, VanBuren Township, MI; two brothers in-law, Jackson Carey, Jr., (Gloria), Hickory, NC and Shelby Carey, Dearborn, MI; two spiritual sons, Rev. Rudy Brooks (Charemon) and Dea. Larry(Chrissy) Bass; spiritual daughter, Dashannon (Robert) Whitehead; faithful friends Dea. Russell (Sharon) Bradshaw, Pastor Leon(Evang. Lucille) Harris, Aldrew (Inez) Meeks, and the Buckner family; best friend and cousin, Lelia (Gilbert) Haynes; a loving niece, Bernetta Walker (Demetrius) Phillips; other family members, many comrades in the ministry, friends, neighbors, and acquaintances.
Viewing will be held on Friday, April 8, 2022 from 4 – 6 p.m. with visitation with the family from 6-8 p.m. in The Sun Chapel. A Celebration of Life service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, April 9, 2022 at Mt. Zion First African Baptist Church, 105 Lankford Ave., Charlottesville, VA, Dr. Alvin Edwards, Eulogist. Interment will follow in the Spring Grove Cemetery Mineral, Virginia.
Viewing
Mt. Zion First African Baptist Church
9:30 - 11:00 am
Funeral Service
Mt. Zion First African Baptist Church
Starts at 11:00 am
Visits: 0
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