Rev. John Ozley

Rev. John Ozley, Sr., 95, retired Methodist minister, went to his heavenly home on November 14th, while on hospice care at home.  He joined his beloved wife of 65 years, Talitha, and his son, John, Jr., grandson Kevin White, son-in-law Marcus Fox, parents Olin and Corrie Ozley, brothers Norman and Olin, Jr., and sisters Doris, Helen, and Mavis.

He was born in Rock Mills, Ala. on August 30, 1928, where he felt the Lord calling him to preach at age 17.  He preached his first sermon while he was in high school.  He attended Asbury College and graduated from LaGrange College and began serving 4 churches in the Glenn, Ga., Circuit.  During that time his daughters, Angie & Susan were born.  He served several other North Georgia churches including Cumming, where John Jr. was born, and he attended and graduated from Emory University School of Theology and led the church to relocate and build a new church.  His next appointment was Hiawassee Church where he also taught at Young Harris College. Holbrook Circuit (Orange, Macedonia, and Pleasant Grove) was next, where he preached and helped conduct Holbrook Campmeeting every year, and was instrumental in the construction of the Youth Building. When Orange became full-time he became their pastor.  He also preached many revivals and had a radio ministry during this time.  Stockbridge was the next church followed by Comer and Glade, then a year as conference evangelist and teacher at Reinhardt College. Julia A. Porter was his final full-time appointment, where he served for 17 years and was named Pastor Emeritus. While at Julia Porter he led in beginning the "Open Air Revival" on the Porterdale Ball Ground every summer for over 25 years, beginning in 1981.  After retirement he served Mansfield, Alcovy, and Sewell churches.

He leaves behind his daughters, Angie Fox, Susan Owen & Tom, daughter-in-law Julie Ozley, grandchildren (who call him "Grandad") Matt Owen & Leah, Paul Owen & Amy, Courtney Jasman & Mike, Rebecca Smith & Robbie, Chris Ozley & Skylar, & Meredith McKuin.  His great-grandchildren are Hannah, Selah, Declan, Judah, Ella, Anna, Sarah, Samantha, Abigail, Jude, Joey, Piper, Benjamin, Noah John, and Kael, several nieces and nephews, and many friends.

A Celebration and Memorial Service to honor his life and the Savior whom he loved and served for over 75 years, will be held at Julia A. Porter Memorial United Methodist Church in Porterdale, Georgia, on Friday, November 24th, at 11 a.m. The family will receive friends at 10:00 before the service and after the service.

Instead of flowers, the family would like you to consider a donation to Julia A. Porter or Sewell Methodist Church. The family would also like to thank everyone for their outpouring of love and prayers during "Preacher John's" illness, and the care he received from Longleaf Hospice. He loved you all.

"How then shall they call on Him in Whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in Him of Whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?  And how shall they preach, except they be sent?  As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!'

This obituary was prepared with love and affection by Rev. John Ozley’s family.