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Alford “Al” H. Ottley, PhD

May 26, 2017

Al Ottley was born on September 28, 1946 in the Bronx, New York to the late Alford H. Ottley, Sr. (St. Kitts/Aruba) and Vera Anita (Mottley) Ottley (Barbados). He died suddenly on May 7, 2017 while vacationing in Barbados, West Indies.

Al graduated from high school with honors at a very young age (16) with a Regent’s Diploma making him eligible for scholarships at any New York State institution of higher education. Instead of attending a New York State Institution, he chose to enter Southern Illinois University with advanced standing having completed the language requirements (four years of Latin) and mathematics requirements (pre-calculus) in high school.

Attracted to chemistry as a major, he graduated with a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in the field. While at Southern Illinois University, where he also continued his pursuit of sports by participating in basketball, football, and fencing, albeit for only one year.

In addition to those educational pursuits, he earned a Master of Business and Public Administration degree in Finance from Southeastern University and the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Leadership from the Florida State University. He was also an ordained pastor in the Southern Baptist Association, and a faithful, supporting member of Covenant Church.

His love for higher education provided opportunities for him to serve in twelve institutions of higher education over the span of 50 years. Al also provided service to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and to The Center for Developing Institutions providing solution-based integrated information technology and management systems to higher education.

Al traveled extensively throughout the world visiting, providing technical assistance and benevolence to hundreds of people in over 50 foreign countries. His love for people and travel took him to every continent except Antarctica.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife Clarise of over 37 years, his four sons, Jason of Morgantown, WV, Jonathan (Jennifer) of Pickerington, Ohio, Jordan (Summer) of Hedgesville, West Virginia, and Joel (Kelly) of Saint Paul, Minnesota; two granddaughters, Sophia (Joel & Kelly) and Gabrielle (Jonathan & Jennifer); his sister Diane Johnson (Raymond), of Cathedral City, California, his “sister” Mildred Boyce of Brooklyn, New York, his niece, Vera Johnson of Redlands, California, and a host of relatives and friends.

Although we mourn his loss, we rejoice because we know that at a very young age, he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. This confession of faith guarantees that he will have eternal life in heaven.

The Homegoing Celebration will be Monday, May 22nd @ 11am at Covenant Church, 7485 Shepherdstown Pike, Shepherdstown, WV. The family will receive friends two hours prior to the service at Covenant Church.

Interment will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Martinsburg.

In lieu of flowers, please make a monetary contribution to Ottley Mission’s Fund. Make checks payable to Covenant Church, P.O. Box 1674, Shepherdstown, WV 25443. Please indicate on the memo line of the check that the contribution is for “Ottley Mission’s Fund.”

Condolences may be expressed at www.eackles-spencerfuneralhome.com.