It was just last March that Columbia International University President Dr. Mark Smith and his wife Debbie paid a birthday visit to CIU’s oldest living alumnus, Ottie Roberson (CIU President Celebrates with 107-year-old alumnus). She was spry and very happy to receive the Smiths and other visitors from the CIU Alumni Office. Now, Dr. Smith will have the honor of officiating at a celebration of Ottie’s life. Ottie was promoted to glory on Aug. 15, 2018 in West Columbia, South Carolina.

Ottie and her husband Bob attended CIU in the 1930s when it was known as Columbia Bible College. She remembered the emergence of radio in her early life and later the advent of television. She recalled when airplanes first took to the air. Her earliest memories were of travel by foot, or horse-drawn buggies and wagons, and then the first automobiles.

Her children remember her as funny, kind, loving, godly and full of spunk. She had a great love for camping and going to the ocean.  She was a very dedicated and godly woman who loved her Lord and was passionate about sharing the gospel. She was a member of Congaree Baptist Church.

Ottie is survived by four children, eight grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, eight great-great-grandchildren and one great-great-great grandchild on the way.  

The celebration of Ottie’s life is scheduled for Sunday, August 19 beginning with visitation at 1:30 p.m., and funeral at 3:00 p.m. at Congaree Baptist Church, 101 Pine Ridge Drive, West Columbia, SC 29172.

Complete details are available at the Thompson Funeral Homes website.