Otelia Adams Oatis, age 80, died at Whidbey General Hospital, Coupeville, on May 7, 2002. She was born Feb. 22, 1922, in Biloxi, Miss., to Irvin Adams and Janie Hanes.

Mrs. Oatis was raised in Biloxi, Miss. She was married to Duthel L. Oatis and followed his Army career. The Oatis family settled in Gulfport, Miss., where the Oatis family operated two grocery stores for many years. Mr. Oatis passed away on Feb. 15, 1984. Mrs. Oatis moved to Oak Harbor 10 months ago to be with her daughter.

Mrs. Oatis was a long time member of the Little Rock Missionary Baptist Church, Gulfport, Miss. She served as usher, choir member, kitchen committee member, church clerk and deaconess. She volunteered at the TWIGS program at Gulfport Memorial Hospital. She was a member of the Alpha Chapter, Order of Eastern Star in Gulfport and was a member of the “Host a Sailor Program.”

Mrs. Oatis loved to cook and was very talented with ceramics. She made blankets and quilts and sewed. While in Oak Harbor, she attended Base Chapel, NAS Whidbey Island and New Life Missionary Church.

Mrs. Oatis is survived by one daughter, Anita Townsend and son-in-law Gregory of Oak Harbor; by one son, Willie Henry Oatis; and by three grandsons, Gregory Eugene Townsend, Jr., Jonathan Isaac Townsend and Samuel Devon Townsend, all of Oak Harbor. One sister-in-law, Mattie Oatis of Oakville, Miss., also survives her.

Funeral services for Mrs. Oatis will be held in Biloxi, Miss. Burial will follow at National Cemetery, Biloxi, Miss. Local arrangements are by Burley Funeral Chapel.