Theotis "Otis" Solomon

Theotis (Otis) Solomon was born on Monday, May 17, 1926 and was called home to be with the LORD Friday, January 8, 2021. He was born in Sandersville, GA... to Essie B. Solomon. Raised by his grandmother, Mattie Jones, after the death of his mother when he was 3 months old. At the age of 17 years old he moved from Sandersville to Columbus, Ohio, there living with his aunts, Myra Warthern and Mary Braddy where he finished high school in 1945 from Columbus East High. He enlisted in the Army at the end of WW II (1945) and served a short time in El Pasco, Texas. While in the Army he received training in cooking (the beginning of his life's passion as a chef and caterer). After discharge, he returned to Columbus, Ohio working at Lockbourne Air Force Base as a cook, in several downtown hotels and restaurants (The Athletic Club, The Florentine and Top of the Center to mention a few) as a cook and later as a chef; becoming a caterer and later as crew manager and Supervisor of Dobbs House at Port Columbus that (at that time) catered for the Airlines. While working at The Deshler-Wilks Hotel he met and married the Love of his life, Frances Garnes, who had also moved here from a small town in Ohio. They married in May 18, 1947, and remained married for more than 57 years, until her death. There was one child of this union, Carolyn. He had a number of nicknames, Otis, Saul, Sarj and Saulie; not to mention number of affectionate family names, Daddy, Pap and Pil-Pil. He was devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. He loved his family and worked hard all of his life (from the age of 12) for them! And for him family included his grandmother, whom he supported until her death and the special relationships he had with his Aunts and Cousins. While his wife was alive, they traveled all throughout the South, all through the New York Philadelphia area and many other places to visit and keep in touch with his roots, his family and his longtime friends. They not only loved to travel, they loved to go fishing, the race track and of course spoil their grandson. Otis was the "Great Entertainer", having dinners and cook-outs for his family and friends. He was always the life of the party, the resident jokester, the smart mouth of the bunch. He had a nickname for EVERYONE! And if you had a minute.. He could tell you a story, whether you wanted to hear it or not. And if you took notes, the stories got longer and changed frequently! He was a talker! He loved people and found the good in everyone. He is preceded in death by his mother, Essie B. Solomon; his grandmother, Mattie Jones; his Devoted Loving wife, Frances; his great-grandson, Zen; his devoted and loving aunts, Myra, Anne (Big), Mary (Big), Willie B and Victoria; favorite Uncle, Ralph; close, like siblings, cousins, Annie Pearl, Mary Bright and Lillie Bing ; his Special friends, Linda Wilks and William Thomas. Otis leaves to cherish his memory, his Loving Daughter, Carolyn Solomon; his grandson who was the Light of his life, Lee Solomon; his great-grandson, Zaven who held a Special place in his heart; his granddaughter-in-law, Stephanie who was a Jewel in his life; Thelma Johnson, who was like a daughter to him; his Special cousins and friends who spoke to him and checked on him regularly-basis, Sarah Martha Thomas, Ann Bright, Bill Bright, Eleanora Kelsor, Frances Fitzpatrick, Annie Scruggs, his New Birth buddies and Pew mates; and a Host of other family and Friends. He will be greatly missed.