Ottawa Rosedalist Pullen Jr.

Reverend Ottawa Rosedalist Pullen, Jr., a charismatic preacher of the Gospel who served the Lord and loved his family, transitioned to life eternal with his heavenly father on Monday, June 27, 2022, at the age 79.

Ottawa Pullen was born on August 28, 1942, in Roanoke, Virginia to the late Reverend Ottawa Rosedalist Pullen, Sr. and Evelyn Naomi Pullen. He is survived by two siblings, Earl Bernard Pullen and Fran Naomi Pullen Regis who affectionately remember their big brother by his childhood nickname of Penny. Ottawa graduated from Lucy Addison High School in 1960. He went on to attend Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland where he was a proud member of Groove Phi Groove Fraternity. He also attended Virginia State University located in Ettrick, Virginia where he was widely known as a talented singer who proudly opened for Junior Walker and the All Stars and performed at events on campus and throughout the city.

Ottawa married Bishop S. Terri Smith on August 17, 1968. Together they had five children: Joieux Monique Bishop, Ottawa Rosedalist Pullen III (Trey), T’nil Pullen, Shelbi Wesley and Kristen Pullen. They lived in New Jersey, Virginia and Georgia before settling in Houston, Texas in 1981.

Ottawa later went on to marry Alice Marie on July 8, 1988. They were married for 34 years and lived in Cypress, Texas until his passing on June 27, 2022.

Though he was called to ministry at an early age, Ottawa worked in corporate America for many years before dedicating his life to the ministry full time. He attended the Bread of Life School of Ministry under the direction of Pastor Dusty Kemp. During this time, he received the anointing to become a pastor. Upon completion of ministerial school in December 1992, Pastor Ottawa started Light of the World Church in Houston, TX and held his first service on June 20, 1993. Pastor Ottawa loved the Lord and ministered the Word of God to anyone that would listen. During his time as Senior Pastor of Light of the World Church, he was honored to lead so many people to a new life in Christ.

Ottawa had a big, boisterous and unmistakable laugh. A heartfelt, contagious, make everyone else laugh kind of laugh. He wore enough cologne to leave an impression that lasted long after he left the room. A self-taught mechanic, he loved working on cars, with Jaguars being one of his favorites to restore. He passed to his children his great fondness for James Bond movies. He also shared his love for Whataburger, the site of many ‘board meetings’ which were a long standing tradition in the Pullen household. He was greatly loved and will be deeply missed.

Ottawa is preceded in death by his parents, Reverend Ottawa Rosedalist Pullen, Sr. and Evelyn Naomi Pullen. He is survived by his wife Alice Pullen of Cypress, Texas, brother Earl Bernard Pullen (Nancy) of Roanoke Virginia, sister Fran Naomi Pullen Regis (Cleveland) of Laurel, Maryland and by his children, Joieux Bishop, Ottawa Pullen III (Trey), T’nil Pullen, Shelbi Wesley (Brandon) and Kristen Pullen and step daughter Ronda Boudreaux (Brexton). He leaves behind five grandchildren: Jennifer Lane (John), Desiree Monique Mendez-Pullen, Blake Wesley, Summer Brittney Daigle-Pullen and Jacob Pullen, one step granddaughter McKenna Boudreaux and three great grandchildren, John Lane III, Jayden Lane and Journey Lane all of Houston, TX. He will be remembered by several nieces, nephews and relatives in Virginia, Maryland, Connecticut and New Jersey.

A funeral service for Ottawa will be held Friday, July 8, 2022 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Earthman Resthaven Funeral Home, 13102 North Fwy, Houston, TX 77060. A committal service will occur Friday, July 8, 2022 from 2:00 PM to 2:45 PM at Earthman Resthaven Cemetery, 13102 North Fwy, Houston, TX 77060. A reception will occur Friday, July 8, 2022 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, 13102 North Fwy, Houston, TX 77060.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.earthmanresthavenfuneralhome.com for the Pullen family.