Otis James Lee Eason Ifill

Otis James Lee Eason Ifill (OJ) was born in Brooklyn, New York on June 25, 1969 to Geraldine Eason and the late Harold Ifill. He was raised in Pinetops, North Carolina. He graduated from Southwest Edgecombe High School where he went on to proudly attend Fayetteville State University and earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. OJ was also a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) and a veteran of the Army National Guard. His career is reflective of over 17 years of Human Services as he was recently hired as a School Counselor and PE Teacher at Carolina International School. He was only there for a few weeks but his impact was both immediate and significant. He was actively employed as a certified massage therapist. He served as the Community Outreach Director and Family Self Sufficiency Program Leader for Mélange Health. OJ also worked for Success Inc., Lutheran Family Services, Charlotte Mecklenburg Youth Leadership Academy and The Family Center. OJ accepted Christ as his savior early on as a young man at St. James Christian Discipleship Church, but the foundation of his formative years of mentoring and stewardship was galvanized within the walls of University Park Baptist Church. It was at The Park where he was licensed as a minister and also served as Minister of Information Services; and where he built friendships that endured. More importantly this is where he met Cheryl, his precious love and the woman that matched him in faith and spirit. Together they built a home in Charlotte to share with their son Kendall and their spiritual son Quinn. A home that was further blessed by the birth of their two boys Owin and Ostin. OJ’s gift as a mentor defined the way he interacted with those around him. Young people were drawn to him and responded to him. His love for people was boundless and our love for him was just as evident. As he battled through years of medical complications and pain management, he still managed to meet and greet everyone with a huge smile. He was loving and friendly, and you would be challenged to find anyone with a more positive outlook. OJ was called home on December 13, 2015 and though we will miss his youthful enthusiasm, our sorrow should only be diminished by the reminder that Otis is now looking over us from a view that is clear, pain-free, and with room enough for him to dance and sing. These were both talents he loved to share with all those close to him. Minister Ifill was preceded in death by his father Harold Ifill. He is survived by his wife: Cheryl Smith Ifill; sons, Kendall D. Pickett, 22, Owin J. Ifill 11, Ostin J. Ifill 8, and Reverend Quinn Rodgers (wife-Falen & daughter Kamaya); four brothers, Harold Ifill, Jr., Bobby E. Eason (Luz), Curtis Ifill (Kimberly), and Daryl Ifill; two sisters, Alice Horne (Greg), and Tiedra Ifill-Pittman; mother, Geraldine Eason; father-in-law, Howard Smith; mother-in-law, Doris Smith; brother-in-law, Darnell Smith; sister-in-law, Sandy Smith; ten nephews, Naeem, Kyndel, Greg Jr., Aman, Isaiah, Kyle, Koen, Quincy Jr., Quandre, and Aden; four nieces, Dominique, Kieran, Cayla, and Lauren; and a host of uncles, aunts, cousins, more nieces and nephews and family and friends that will miss him dearly.