Otha Fisher

Sunrise Sunday, June 08, 1941; Sunset Thursday, February 23, 2023

Otha Jean Fisher was born Sunday, June 08, 1941 in Sprigg, West Virginia to the late Elizabeth (Parrish) and Otha Bolden. She was a graduate of East High School where she excelled academically and participated in Junior Achievement. She went on to attend The Ohio State University for one and half years, where she studied Liberal Arts.

On Friday, July 14, 1961 Otha Jean (Bolden) married Michael R. Fisher, and to this union three daughters were born. After providing daycare from her home until 1975 and utilizing her love of knowledge, reading, research, and history, Otha began a career outside the home as a volunteer librarian at Mifflin High School (soon becoming a paid employee). Shortly after her time at Mifflin, Otha began work as one of the church secretaries for St. Paul A.M.E Church (Thomas E. Liggins) alongside good friend and fellow secretary, Sheryl Frederick. When her time working at St. Paul came to an end, Otha returned to Columbus City Schools as the head librarian of Colerain Elementary School (later transitioning to the position of Instructional Assistant for kindergarten). Otha remained at Colerain (and Columbus City Schools) passing on her love of reading & history while also teaching life-lessons, for the remainder of her career. She retired in June of 2000, after twenty-seven years of service. For a short time after retirement, Otha returned to providing daycare from her home until the youngest in her care started kindergarten. At which time she declared, “I will NOT be watching any additional children. I’m retired.”

In addition to working at St. Paul, Otha Jean and her family also attended St. Paul for many years. Jean was a faithful member of St. Paul’s Bus Ministry. She could always be counted on to be on time and willing to go out of her way to accommodate members. Sometimes that meant stopping to pick up dinners after church before dropping them off at their homes. Jean was always pleasant and did her ministry with a smile. When her children were young, Jean volunteered to teach Vacation Bible School. She was very patient and always took time to make sure each child participated in the lessons. Jean and her husband (Mike) were members of Class #40 Sunday School.

Otha and her husband (Mike) bowled in several bowling leagues throughout the city of Columbus and the state of Ohio over the years. She was a talented cook, enjoyed “tinkering” with a variety of items -mechanical & electrical (figuring out the issue & making the item operable again), and she was the queen of make-shift. Otha was very involved in the interests & activities of her family. She was a loving daughter, caring sister (5 siblings), devoted wife, and dedicated mother, grandmother, & great-grandmother. She was affectionately known as “Babe.”

On Thursday, February 23, 2023; while at her home, after 81 years (eight months, and 15 days), Otha Jean went home to be with the lord. She is preceded in death by her parents, Elizabeth Alexander and Otha Bolden; mother & father-in-law: Vera & Reece Fisher; siblings: George Bolden, Curtis Bolden, & Mildred Ayers; sisters-in-law: Beesigye Fulani, Barbara Hereford; and her loving husband of 55 years, Michael R. Fisher.

Otha Jean is survived by loving daughters: Michelle Fisher, Lynda Fisher, and Tanya (Anthony) Washington , all of Columbus Ohio; grandchildren; Caleb J.M. Fisher-Boone, Ernest E. (Dinia) Washington, Barbara Aleah C. Washington; great-granchildren: Corbin Boone, Damieon Wilkey, Adorian Washingotn, and Caysen Boone; siblings: Callie (James) Alberson (Texas), Gilbert Bolden (Florida); brother-in-law: Sokoto Fulani; sister-in-law: Marva Bolden; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; including honorary grandchildren: Kayla King, Keon King, Alicia Tharrington, and Cameron Tharrington.