Sidney W. Otey, Sr.

Sidney W. Otey, Sr., 88, previously of Cordova passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 20, 2025.

Funeral Services will be held at 3:00 P.M. on Monday, April 28, 2025, at Orangeburg Baptist Tabernacle 3440 North Rd, Orangeburg with Rev. Thomas Brookshire officiating.  The pallbearers are his seven great-grandsons.

Visitation will be held from 2:00-3:00 P.M. on Monday, April 28, 2025, prior to the funeral service at the church.

Burial will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at Fort Jackson National Cemetery 4170 Percival Rd, Columbia, S.C.

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law; Carol and Steven Johnson of Carthage, NC and his son and daughter-in-law; Sidney Warren and Jeanne Otey, Jr. of Pickens, SC; his five grandchildren, Stephen (Beth) Johnson of Greensboro, NC, David (Christy) Johnson of Gibsonville, NC,  Jay (Holly) Johnson of Southern Pines, NC,  Tabitha (Travis) Crotts of Greenville, SC,  and Eric Otey of Greenville, SC; and 12 great grandchildren.

Sidney W. Otey Sr. was born on October 1, 1936, in James City, Virginia.  He was the son of the late Joseph F. Otey and the late Helen E. Jester Otey. Mr. Otey served his country in the United States Air Force and retired from active duty after more than 20 years of service in 1974.  He was a long-time member of Orangeburg Baptist Tabernacle.  He was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved wife of 61 years, Nellie Otey.

Sid was a good man and a gentle man.  When he was a teen, he attended church nearby his home, where he heard the Gospel message of salvation and received the Lord Jesus Christ as His Savior.  Later, in his adult life, when  he was a husband and a father, he committed his life to fully follow and serve the Lord and he lived a faithful Christian life before his family.  He loved to sing for the Lord and was gifted with a baritone voice.  He sang solos and duets in church, and served in the church choir, and served as song-leader for years in Orangeburg Baptist Tabernacle.

After his years of military service, Sid ran a small tree cutting business and small engine repair business. He and his wife Nell owned a motor home and enjoyed travelling to Gospel singing events, and they enjoyed memorable trips to Nova Scotia and Alaska.

Sid enjoyed people.  He loved to talk and share his life experiences with family and friends.  He and Nell lived simple and contented lives.  Sid worked well up into his years in his shop repairing small engines of all sorts.  He was a faithful and loving husband.  He enjoyed times with his family and his grandchildren.

He is loved by all of his family.  The memory of his good life and faith will be cherished in our hearts for which are grateful.