Otis, affectionately called “Shag” by family was born on February 12, 1952 in Griffin, Ga. as the second child to the late Otis Bishop Head, Sr. and the late Bertha Nixon Head. Otis was preceded in death by his youngest brother, Travis Leland Head, 1st wife Janell Swinney Head and wife, Sarah Sparks Head.
Otis received his early education in the Griffin Spalding County Public School System. He was a 1970 graduate of Fairmont High School and was active in many organizations. After high school Otis attended Fisk University in Nashville, Tenn. In 1974 he received a BA degree in Political Science. His 4 years at Fisk also earned him membership into the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc, Fisk athletic Association and numerous lifetime friends, experiences and memories.
Otis’ Christian beliefs were instilled by his parents. His strong Faith led his desire to further his Christian Education. He received a PhD in Christian Counseling at The Restoration Theological Seminary and a Master of Divinity at The Interdenominational Theological Center(ITC) in Atlanta. His spiritual journey always connected him to a church home. He was a member of Hoosier Memorial United Methodist Church and The New Birth Missionary Church. Upon returning to Atlanta in 2020 Otis joined The Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church.
Otis’ work career included jobs with the State of Georgia Juvenile Justice System, Fulton County Correction System , and Tuskegee University National Center for Bioethics. He was involved in numerous community outreach programs and received many awards for his outreach ministries in Tuskegee, Ala. and Macon County.
Otis married the late Janell Swinney in 1977. To this union they were blessed with the birth of a daughter, the apple of Otis’ eye, Jerika Head and a Proud son, Jotis Head. On May 13, 2000, Otis married the late Sarah Ann Sparks . Otis & Sarah enjoyed 18 years of blissful love in Tuskegee, Alabama, where they relocated and actively worked in a community, cherishing the people, history and small town atmosphere.
Otis will be forever remembered as a kind, humble, caring and unselfish servant of God who impacted those that he encountered. His legacy will be everlasting in the hearts of his daughter, Jerika Head, son Jotis Head, grandkids, Jaliyah, Janell, Jotis Jr and Jahlil. Sisters, Wanda Head Young(Ulysses), Paula Head Beal(Christopher) sister in law, Angela H. Head, uncle, Phillip Head (Griffin, Ga) several nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of other family, line brothers, colleagues and friends.
Otis’ advice, guidance and encouraging words to us often ended with “ Trust God, and know that you have done the BEST that you can AS FAR AS THATS CONCERNED.”