Otho Howard Catchings was born in Raymond, MS to the late Dorothy and the late Paul Williams on March 12, 1940 here he spent his formative years. He was educated in the Hinds County School system and attended Raymond elementary School, and Sumner Hill High School in Clinton MS. He attended and graduated from Jackson State University, in Jackson MS with a BS degree in Industrial Engineering.
He confessed the belief in God at an early age and was baptized into the Greater Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Raymond MS. He kept the faith and practiced the Christian principles thorough his life.
He served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He served with honor and pride for years.
He married his high school sweetheart Bernice Funchess on August 30, 1966 and to that union 1 child was born, Wanda. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, brother-in-law, cousin, and friend. He had a unswervingly loyalty to family and remained a strong and loving presence in their lives.
He spent his life educating the boys and girls of St. Louis for over 30 years working for the St. Louis Public School System. He retired to care for his beloved granddaughter, Brittany Lee, who brought him many days of delight. He loved wood working and cooking, and was an avid sports and food network fan.
He leaves to cherish his legacy, his wife Bernice Funchess Catchings, his daughter Wanda Catchings, his granddaughter Brittany Lee, his sister Margaret Kirk of Atlanta Georgia, 4 sisters-in-laws, Josephine (Douglas) Anderson, Catherine (Harold) Cooper, Irene F. Minor, Gloria (John) Whitehead all of Jackson, MS; 3 brothers-in-law, Roosevelt Funchess , and Willie Funchess of Jackson, MS, Ward Funchess Jr. of St. Louis, MO; nieces: Vanessa Brown, Hon. Judge Cassandra Kirk, Denise McKay, Jacqueline Woods, Jennifer Collier, Tambra Cooper, Latreas M. Reed, Cilecia Oates, Elaine Carr, Shirley Roper, JoAnn Funchess, Bobby Ann Funchess, Stacy Funchess, Irene Funchess, Kim and Yolanda Funchess; nephews, Douglas Anderson Jr., Gregory Funchess, James Charles Funchess, Timothy Funchess, Feddie Funchess, great nieces, including Sascha Brown, 17 others, great nephews, Nicholas Brown and 13 others, and many loving cousins, and friends.
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