Celebrating the Life of Deacon Otis C. Maples

Deacon Otis C. Maples was born to the late Otis Maples and Mrs. Lena Mae Williams- Gilbert. Otis, frequently called O.C. was born in Oak Cliff- Trinity Heights, Dallas, Texas on June 18, 1937. He graduated the Billie’s Kindergarten, attended N.W. Harlee School and Lincoln High School, where he was a drummer in the Tiger’s Marching Band. While in elementary school, Otis accepted Jesus as the Christ, for his Lord and Savior at Smith Chapel African Methodist Church, under the spirited mentoring of Rev. Womack. Otis served the United States of America, when in 1955, he took the oath to be a part of the U.S. Air Force at Lackland Air Force Bass, San Antonio, Texas. Among several points of duty, Otis served at McDeal AFB, Tampa, Florida.

Otis joined the struggles of Justice and Civil Rights as a Boy Scout Trooper ant the Harlee School. Later, he connected to Mrs. Juanita Craft, and became super active in the NAACP Youth Council, and was severely assaulted in Downtown Dallas. Otis served as poll Tax Receipt writer with the late Charlie Wadley and worked with Emmit T. Hitman’s Progressive Voters League. His love of Community was demonstrated time and again as a Democratic Precinct Judge for Dallas County (1981-2008). He became an active and supportive deacon at the Romine Congregation. Otis professional career soared as a supervisor for SKYCHEF and later as a security specialist for Raytheon, in Dallas and Greenville, Texas.

Otis married Doris (Delois) Holland in 1960. his final war was with pain, gave way to victory on Sunday, November 10, 2013, at the Premier Transitional living center, Dallas, his parents preceded him in eternity as did his sisters, Blanche Maples Taylor, Ferrell Maples Beals, Jessie Mae Scott, brother, Vernon Brannon and niece, Eddye Ruth Washington. Otis spirit continues through his wife of 53 years, Doris, His life is yet present in daughters, Sherralyn Maples Ferguson and Kym (Harold) Fisher, Sons Jonathan, Ervin and Corey Armond (Zaneta) Maples.