Lester Otis Dewease

Lester “Otis” Dewease, 90, went home to be with Jesus on Wednesday, August 2, 2017, following a recent surgery in Boca Raton Fl. He was born in Noxapater, Mississippi on January 3, 1927 to Lester Odell and Katie Lee Dewease. One of three children, Otis’s work ethic began early in life as he assisted his father and brother in taking care of the farm both before and after school in rural Mississippi. Always a hard worker, in high school his schedule began before dawn feeding livestock, followed by a hearty breakfast, then on to driving the school bus, attending school and afterward driving the school bus again. At day’s end, he helped with feeding the livestock their evening meal, and then had one himself.  Later in his teens he supplemented his after-school work schedule by working at the local grocery as he and his brother helped contribute to their father’s pursuit of his theological degree to become a Southern Baptist Pastor.

By age 18, he fell in love with the pretty brown-eyed young lady he met in high school and would later marry at age 21, after a small stint in the Merchant Marines during World War II.  Five years later a bouncing baby girl came along to Otis and Mary Elizabeth Hodges Dewease, and their lives were never the same again. Employed by the Mississippi Power and Light Company (MP&L) and grading land on the side, Otis and Mary poured all their devotion and love into their one and only child, Beverly Ann Dewease Sutton, currently of Delray Beach. 

Through his career with MP&L (now Entergy Corp.), Otis, who never wasted time on relaxation, pursued a general contractor’s license and on his off days and off-shift times,  built and sold several homes in Cleveland, Miss often using his wood-crafting skills in each home.  Other pursuits he enjoyed immensely were raising Black Angus cattle “back home” on the farm in Noxapater and woodworking in his shop. His only relaxation was time spent with his family on horseback or on the boat.

Otis was a kind and gentle man with a contagious laugh that bubbled up and out in a moment’s notice, with head thrown back and punctuated with an ear-to-ear smile. He was often referred to as a “Southern Gentleman”, was respected by all who knew him and had an uncanny ability to accept life with joy. A member of the First Baptist Church in Natchez Ms, Otis showed love and respect to all, living under a banner of Christian kindness. Anyone, at anytime, could rely on Otis as a faithful and devoted friend.  Otis is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Elizabeth Hodges and younger sister Ruby Katherine Dewease Parker. He is survived by his daughter, Beverly (Daniel) Sutton and brother, James Raymond Dewease.

A memorial service will be held in the Prayer Room at Boca Raton Community Church (470 NW 4th Ave, Boca Raton, FL 33432) on Saturday, August 12 at 10 am.  A reception will follow in the Family Room at the church. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Scholarship Program at Boca Raton Christian School.

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