David "Papa" Otis

OTIS, Mr. David - Age 88, passed away Saturday October 31, 2015 at McLaren Oakland Hospital. Family hour 10:30AM Monday November 9, 2015 from the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 268 N. Perry St., with funeral service commencing immediately at 11AM. Dist. Eld. Michael T. Martin, officiating. Interment Perry Mount Park Cemetery, 878 N. Perry St. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the funeral home 10:30AM Monday. Mr. Otis will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, and may be viewed from 10AM-5PM Sunday. Mr. David “Papa” Otis was born January 26, 1927 in McComb, Mississippi to the late birthparents of Joseph and Rosie Mae Otis. Growing up in Gulfport, Mississippi, David was baptized and accepted Christ at an early age. David was also educated through the Mississippi School System. It was in 1954, in Louisiana that he later met and joined a union with the love of his life Savannah (Robinson) Otis, in which he called “Grandma.” In 1972, David and Savannah moved to Pontiac, Michigan, after arriving in Michigan David served and was a member of Zion Tabernacle Church in Pontiac, Michigan, Solomon’s Temple in Detroit, Michigan, Shiloh Temple in Pontiac, Michigan, and later making Victory Apostolic Church in Pontiac, Michigan his final church home. Although “Papa” was sometimes quiet and laid back he interacted with everyone. David knew the Lord and was ready to meet his master, he was not afraid. David really enjoyed all of his family. He laid the foundation for all of us to follow. Later through the years Grandma and Papa felt the need to nurture and raise children that were so well needed of their love and guidance. Along with his loving, keen, and very outspoken, spiritual wife, Savannah they raised sixty-six children and adopted six of them. Every last child was raised in the Church serving his community for over thirty-three years. David really was a hardworking man. He worked as laborer while raising children and later retired from Price Brothers Corporation. David enjoyed swimming in his earlier days. He watched TV Ministry just about every day and all day. He loved Basketball and Football and they were his favorites. He loved to reminisce with his brothers over the games. He also looked forward to engaging with his sister and other family members quite often. As God said, “Love thy brother and sisters.” He also loved all of his neighbors; many of which he had the pleasure of knowing for over thirty years. This was very important to him as he loved getting together cooking and eating soul food. David was a master chef, “coon”, gumbo; red beans and rice were some of his fine delicacies. Papa and Grandma fed thousands including contributions in Africa. Anything he cooked would make you want to “Slap yo mama.” In the summer he sold many soul food dinners. He loved to joke and tease. He brought a smile to everyone’s face with jargons’ like, “Down through the years God has been good to me,” “Old Bendora don’t you cry for me,” “You ole coon.” He was a loving, caring, helpful, angelical kind of person. I do mean he helped everyone in some sort of fashion. On October 31, 2015 his loving wife had the blessing of seeing her husband yield into victory in which no one can resist. God certainly blessed “Papa”, with more years than promised. His eighty-eight long years on this earth as a true servant, father, grandfather, great great grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend and always be missed and surely never forgotten. Mr. Otis leaves to cherish his memory: his beautiful loving devoted soul mate of sixty one long years, Savannah Otis; children, Arthur (Ruby) Bernard, Desiree Bernard, Tammie Dowell, Cora Mae (Willie) Otis-Daniels, TaKiesha Otis, David (Marlo) Otis Jr., Kayla Otis, Isaiah (Kadija) Otis; grandchildren, Derrick (Tara) Bernard, Christopher Bernard, Daja and Dierra Dowell-Honer, Trayontae Rhymes, Devonica Dennard and Bailey Shaw; special grandchildren, Lolita and Andre Siner; host of great grandchildren including special great grandchildren, Corey Jack Goodnight, DeLandria Siner, JaWayne, Lisa, Christopher, L.C. Jr., Khrishawnda, Shianne, Lynda, Derrick Jr., Zataria Bernard, Bernisha and Walter Bernard; siblings, Minister Eva Mae (Harold) Geeter, Lynn Otis, Joseph “Billy Otis, Maro Otis, Eld. Walter (Nell) Hamilton, daughters-in-law, Marlo Robinson and Kadiga; sisters-in-law, Minister Paula Otis, Evelyn Spellman, Maxine Robinson, Michelle, Bendora (Dora); brothers-in-law, Leroy (Elnora) Robinson, Ray Robinson and Lionel Romar; and a host of nieces and nephews including special nieces, Lisa Otis, Erica (Sherman) Gill, Titana Robinson, Melinda Robinson, Jacqueline Batiste, Evelina Spellman, Carmen Bradley, Rev. Mary (Zanders) Hymon; special nephews, Albert (Laura) Bell, Leroy Ratcliff Sr., Leroy Ratcliff Jr., Bruce Robinson, Joseph Otis, Benjamin Otis, Calvin and Alvin Spellman; special cousins, Elaine Brown and Norman (Linda) Gurley II. Mr. Otis was preceded in death by his daughter, Dianne Robinson; sons, Alphonse Bernard and Juawan Otis; granddaughter, Lisa Bernard-Henderson; parents, Joseph and Rosie Otis; siblings, Ned Otis, Leslie “Butch” Otis, Matthew (Nora Lee) Otis, Thelma (Albert) Bell, James Earl Otis, Nolia Mae Johnson, Mary Alice (Sam) Zanders; aunt, Lula Johnson; sisters-in-law, Catherine Guy, Sandra Robinson, Shirley Robinson; brothers-in-law, Joseph “Joe” Robinson and Austin Robinson. The family would like to express a special thanks to Bishop Michael T. Martin and the Victory Apostolic Church, Zion Tabernacle Apostolic Church, Pastor Andrea Ellis and the Destiny of Faith Church, Elder Walter “Nell” Hamilton and the Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home.

David "Papa" Otis

January 26, 1927 - October 31, 2015