Dr. G. Othell Hand

Dr. G. Othell Hand passed away Saturday morning, August 13, 2016 at his home in Columbus, Georgia. Celebration of Life Services will be held at First Baptist Church, Columbus on Tuesday, August 16, 2016, 2 p.m. with Dr. James C. Elder, Jr. Private entombment will be held at Parkhill Cemetery. The family will receive friends in the Fellowship Hall of First Baptist Church, Columbus immediately following the service.

Othell Hand was born in Collinsville, Mississippi on October 10, 1920 to Velma and George Loftin Hand. He is survived by his wife Martha Hand; his two sons, Kerry Hand and his wife Donna and Mark Hand and his wife Melanie; grandchildren, Shay Byars, David Hand, Heather Hand Mandeville, Ryan Hand and Justin Hand; great-grandchildren, Kenley, Reagan and Skyler Mandeville; and his sister, Retha Henderson. He was predeceased by his twin sister, Genell Secrest; and brother, Ivan Hand.

He had a great love for his family, and particularly for his wife of 70 years, whom he lovingly referred to as “Miz Marfa”. His loves also included his hobbies, gardening and cooking, being known for beautiful plantings and his delectable kitchen treats like Coconut Cake.

Though he grew up on a one horse cotton farm in rural Mississippi, he became well educated; working his way through Mississippi College at Clinton, Mississippi, then on to earn his doctorate degree at Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He taught religion for five years at the University of Richmond and pastored churches in Jacksonville, Florida and Hickory, North Carolina before coming to Columbus in 1962 as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Columbus. After spending 11 years leading First Baptist, he joined AFLAC as Director of Motivation where he expanded his ministry from church to the marketplace. AFLAC gave him an opportunity to minister through motivating and counseling individuals across the country. Another important role was representing AFLAC in Washington, DC where he became AFLAC’s goodwill ambassador to our nation’s Presidents, senators and congressmen.

Othell Hand always believed in giving back to the community through volunteerism. He gave his time generously to charitable boards including Springer Opera House and the Greater Columbus Beautification Commission in Columbus. In our nation’s capital, he served on the boards of the Washington Opera Company, Ford’s Historic Theatre and was a member of the “Golden Circle” support group for the Kennedy Center. While in Washington, he was privileged to serve on the prestigious Senate Trust Committee and was guest chaplain for the U.S. Senate. Other charitable endeavors included the American Cancer Society, Mercer University and the Georgia Baptist Convention. In addition to corporate boards, he served on the boards of AFLAC and the Trust Company of Columbus bank.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Baptist Church, 212 12th Street, Columbus, Georgia 31901 or a charity of their choice.