Obituary

Zenell "Nell" Raborn Ott

January 26, 1931 - October 4, 2024

Zenell (Nell) Raborn Ott, age 93 and of Osyka, MS, passed away on October 4 peacefully in her home with family by her side. 

Mrs. Ott was preceded in death by her husband, Wiltz Cutrer Ott and by her parents Simpson and Thelma Raborn and four siblings: Daniel Simpson Raborn, Thelma Raborn Pittman, Joan Raborn Francis, and Jean Raborn Erwin. 

She is survived by four children: Richard Ott, wife Deanna, of Memphis, TN; Wesley Ott, wife Stacee, of Osyka, MS; Virginia Ott of Monroe, LA; and Ross Ott of Atlanta, GA.  She is also survived by 8 grandchildren: Holly Ott Savorgnan (Joey), Reginald Ott (Lindsay), Hailey Ott Davis (Christopher), Hanna Ott, Heidi Ott Brent (Justin), Andrew Ott (Liz), Eric Ott (Hillary), and Madeline Ott and by 13 great-grandchildren: Josie Savorgnan, Jemma Savorgnan, Jaggar Savorgnan, Nathaniel Ott, Leira Ott, Steele Davis, Sully Davis, Shae Davis, Gideon Ott, Isaac Ott, Amos Ott, Wiltz Ott, and Iris Ott. 

Nell was born in Osyka, Mississippi and never lived anywhere else permanently.  She graduated from Osyka High School as valedictorian of her class and later attended Southwest Junior College on a basketball scholarship.  She later earned a degree in education with honors from Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, LA.   Nell was a lifelong member of Osyka Baptist Church and served as Sunday School teacher and as a member of many committees in her active years. She was involved in community activities, promoting many civic and benevolent causes.  She loved Osyka and Osyka loved her back!  

She and Wiltz were married for 49 years and were involved in their children’s activities.  Affectionately known as “Aunt Nell” to the children in the community, she and Wiltz would take their children along with their friends to the Tangipahoa River most warm afternoons (after chores of course).  She remembered birthdays and special events and made sure these were recognized.  Her taco soup made its way to those sick and homebound. She always showed a genuine interest in others and made everyone feel special.  

Nell was first diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 37 and survived despite the odds at that time.  In later years she again beat the odds with lung and uterine cancer and often wondered why she survived. But her strong faith made her trust God’s plan for her life, and she lived each day for Christ.  

In writing a story of her life for the grandchildren, she added these closing remarks: Life is not a bed of roses, but it is a garden to me. You look at where to plant it, choose the spot, and start cultivating it. It takes hard work to do all that’s required to develop it-making sure it is prepared right, planted correctly with plants that grow well in your region, watching out for harmful insects and destroying them, pruning as needed.  All of this is necessary but if the rain does not come, it will not produce. That is life too.  If we do not have the God that  gives us rain, we are nothing and life is nothing but “things.” I have been so blessed to have had the wonderful life that I have had. It scares me at times because God has been so good to me and my family (Wiltz’s too). 

Visitation will occur October 14, beginning at 9am at Osyka Baptist Church.  A memorial service will follow at 10am at Osyka Baptist Church, followed by interment at Osyka cemetery.  Upon conclusion of the interment, a celebration of life will be held at the Osyka Baptist Church fellowship hall.   In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the Osyka Baptist Church in her memory.  Arrangements are being handled by Hartman-Jones Funeral Home.  

The family wishes to express their appreciation for the loving care provided by St Luke’s Hospice, and by Ava Hughes, Kathryn Hughes, Tiffany Hughes, and Elaine Jackson.