Otis Harley McLean

Otis Harley McLean A Servant Of God May 31, 1924 – October 2, 2019 Otis Harley McLean, a man of great faith and strength, a Servant of God filled with Godly Wisdom, was affectionately known as Uncle Otis, Mr. O, Mr. McLean, Deacon McLean, and Chef McLean and lovingly called by his late wife Edie, “O-de.” The son of the late James Arch and Hattie Jane McLean was born in Marlboro County, South Carolina on May 31, 1924, and departed this life on Wednesday, October 2, 2019, at the age of 95 at Penn Medical Center in Plainsboro Township, New Jersey. Uncle Otis was the eleventh of 15 children born to the union of Mr. & Mrs. McLean. Uncle Otis was preceded in death by his wife, Edith Jones-McLean, parents, James Arch & Hattie Jane McLean; brothers Howard McLean, Henry McLean (Idella), James McLean (Madie), Robert Lee McLean (Magnolia), John D. McLean, Horace McLean and Rufus McLean, and sisters, Annie Mae Cook (Lawrence), Lessie Hodges (Thurman), Blanch, Maggie Midgette (George), Mary Lee Peterkin (James L.) Hattie Virginia Harley (Theodore), and Ruthie. Uncle Otis, a Servant Of God to family, friends and strangers, lived in South Carolina from birth to age 25 whereby, at an early age, he came to know Christ. His mother, Hattie Jane who was an avid student and teacher in Reading, Writing/Penmanship, Arithmetic, Old and New Testament, Bible Revelation, Character Building and Family Life, home schooled him. Uncle Otis at age 6 began training as a cook under his sister, Mary Lee. There began his career as a Chef. In his lifetime, he went on from the humble beginning of home cook to Head Chef and Baker. In the South Uncle Otis worked with his father and brother who were cotton and tobacco Sharecroppers and trained in carpentry with his father. He was also very instrumental in helping with his sibling’s children, staying over, cooking and doing laundry as needed. In 1952, Uncle Otis moved to New Jersey and was employed as Chef Cook for the State of New Jersey (Grey Stone Park) where he later met and married his wife, Edith Jones, of Trenton, New Jersey and was later employed by Mercer County as a County Completion Inspector. Uncle Otis was a Servant of God, Deacon and Chef at: • Victory Tabernacle COGIC, Pastor Thomas • Mount Carmel Church of Christ, Bishop J. P. Jones • New Holy Cross Church of Christ, Bishop W. J. Jones On the weekend you could find Uncle Otis in the kitchen of his home catering Church Banquets, Weddings or outside manicuring his well-kept yard. He truly was a Good Samaritan opening his door to family, friends and strangers as well, always with a gentle heart even when he was wronged he would say, ”Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” Uncle Otis resided at The Pavilions At Forrestal, Princeton, New Jersey, from 2007 to October 2019. Uncle Otis leaves to share his memories five generations of nieces, nephews, and the many who came in touch with God, The Indwelling Christ of his consciousness.

Otis Harley McLean

May 31, 1923 - October 2, 2019