Honoring Ouida Blanche Ott: A Cherished School Educator

News Summary

The Charleston community is coming together to celebrate the life of Ouida Blanche Ott, a beloved educator who dedicated decades to teaching English and History in local high schools. She passed away at 90 years old, leaving behind a legacy of inspiration and community service. Her funeral will be held on February 22, 2025, at Kathwood Baptist Church, with family and friends invited to pay their respects. Ouida’s contributions to education and her vibrant spirit will be remembered by all who knew her.

Remembering a Beloved Educator: Ouida Blanche Ott

Charleston, SC – The community is coming together to honor the life of Ouida Blanche Ott, a cherished educator and vibrant community member who passed away at the age of 90 on February 12, 2025. With her remarkable contributions to education and her love for community service, she left an indelible mark on all who knew her.

A Heartfelt Farewell

Ouida’s funeral service is scheduled for Saturday, February 22, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Kathwood Baptist Church. Friends and family are invited to gather for a visitation at the church from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m. right before the service. After the service, Ouida will be laid to rest at Carolina Memorial Gardens in North Charleston, SC, where loved ones can pay their final respects.

A Journey Through Life

Born in Augusta, GA, Ouida was the second of three daughters to the late Jeff David Ott and Frieda Stacer Ott. Her childhood was spent in the charming towns of Cameron and Branchville, SC, where she formed many of the memories that would shape her life. A proud graduate of Chicora High School in North Charleston, Ouida furthered her education at Mars Hill College and Carson Newman College, earning a Bachelor’s degree in English, and later, she continued her studies obtaining a Master’s degree from Vanderbilt University.

A Passion for Teaching

Ouida dedicated decades of her life to teaching English and History, inspiring countless students at several high schools including Chicora High School and Garrett High School in North Charleston, as well as Rock Hill High School, Northwestern High School in Rock Hill, and Lower Richland High School in Columbia.

In her retirement, she remained connected to the field of education as an active member of the Alpha Delta Kappa teaching sorority and the Delta Kappa Gamma sorority.

A Life Full of Service

Beyond teaching, Ouida’s generous spirit shone through her various community involvement roles. She served as a docent at the South Carolina State Museum, where she guided school groups and shared her knowledge with others. Her love for community service also led her to become an Avon representative, volunteer usher at the Town Theater in downtown Columbia, and an enthusiastic participant in her garden club as well as serving on the Galaxy subdivision HOA.

Faith and Family

Ouida was a devoted member of Kathwood Baptist Church, where she lent her beautiful voice to the choir and volunteered her time in the church office and with children’s music programs. Her faith and dedication to family were evident, and while she is predeceased by her parents and her sister Geraldine, she leaves behind her loving sister, Stacer Ott McGee, from Clayton, NC, along with several nieces, nephews, and great-grandchildren.

Gratitude and Remembrance

The family expressed immense gratitude for the compassionate care provided by the staff at Lexington Medical Center, MSA Hospice, and the caregivers at Mill Creek Manor Senior Living during Ouida’s life. As the community pays tribute to a life well-lived, memorial donations can be made to an animal rescue organization, Kathwood Baptist Church, or MSA Hospice, as alternatives to flowers.

For those who wish to share fond memories online, they can do so at www.dunbarfunerals.com. Ouida Blanche Ott will be remembered for her passion, her kindness, and her unwavering commitment to education and community. She touched the lives of many, and her legacy will undoubtedly live on in the hearts of those she inspired.

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Additional Resources

• Dignity Memorial: Ouida Blanche Ott Obituary
• Wikipedia: Education in the United States
• Dignity Memorial: Ouida Blanche Ott’s Life and Services
• Google Search: Impact of Teaching
• Dignity Memorial: Ouida’s Contributions to the Community
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
• Dignity Memorial: Remembering Ouida Ott
• Google News: Community Service in Education