Otera Kimmins

Myrtie “Otera” Kimmins transitioned from this world on Friday, July 28, 2023 at home with her loving family by her side.

Otera was born on October 28, 1925 to John Stevenson And Willie Lee (McNeil) Douglas in Dyer County Tennessee. She was the youngest of five siblings. Otera was raised and educated in Newbern, Tennessee.  She was raised in a close knit family and accepted Christ at an early age.

Otera developed her work ethic at an early age on the family farm and later at her brothers businesses, Douglas Cafe, and Douglas Funeral Home. Her brother Ralph was the local black entrepreneur who provided work for anyone wanting to make a living. He ran work crews to pick cotton, and to haul hay. He also operated a slaughter house for local farmers.

It was in Newbern in 1945 that she met and married the love of her life, Johnnie C. Kimmins. To that marriage three children were born, Johnnie M., Cleotha (died as an infant) and Myrtie. Otera and Johnnie lived for a short time in Rock Island, IL. In 1959 a number of years after her husband Johnnie passed away, Otera moved to South Bend IN and re-connected with her childhood friends the Kirk family. She attended Laymen Chapel CME Church under the leadership of the Rev. Billy Kirk and later in1976 she continued her service to the Lord at that church under the leadership of Pastor Collins Gray Jr.

  Otera was a wonderful homemaker. She loved her family and took great pride in spending time with them. She loved quilting, crocheting and needle point and she was very meticulous in all of her needle work.  She took great pride in quilting blankets and gifting them as wedding gifts. And she loved decorating for every holiday, ensuring that inside her home and the yard fully represented every holiday or season. Until she lost her sight , she could be found pampering her award winning floral garden, beautiful indoor plants, baking or baby sitting a grandchild or great-grandchild.  All the grands lovingly called her "DUBIE".

Without sight she She taught Lynn (affectionally called"Lincoln") how to make the most delicious Peach Cobbler, including the crust from scratch. Otera always hosted the most spectacular Christmas Eve gatherings for the family. She would start cooking a week in advance and the kids could open gifts at midnight and would eat, laugh and and play games until the wee hours of the morning. She loved holidays, and baking the most delicious cakes and pies. Although she lived the last 10 years of her life without sight she never lost her independence and desire for impeccable care and grooming.  She could be found sitting on the side of her bed or in her chair at midnight or later putting on lotion or enjoying a snack.

Otera lived a quiet life knowing that God Never left her alone. She had a favorite saying on her wall, "Lord help me to remember that nothing  is going to happen to me today that you and I together can't handle!

She was incredibly blessed to have her daughters provide the most loving care for her during her latter years.

Left to cherish her memories are two daughters, Johnnie M. Kimmins and Myrtie (Lynn) Coleman both of South Bend, 5 grandchildren, Veronica Wheeler, Greg Wheeler and Nicole Parahams all of South Bend, Tracy Kimmins, Morrow, GA and Aaron Coleman Chicago, IL,  7 great-grandchildren, Devon (Melanie) Dikes, Indianapolis, IN, Artavia (Aaron) Jones, Atlanta, GA, Ashley Anderson, Darius Cristler,  Deon Peters Jr. and Brandi Parchman all of South Bend,  6 great great grandchildren, Ayranae and Aaliyah Jones, Jermaine Anderson, Ashton Anderson Northern, Rylie Kyle and Zion and Cairo Dikes. 6 very special nieces who always remained  in touch Betty Beard, Charlotte Mallory, Marlene Douglas, Venita Roberts, Otha Johnson, and Jo Evelyn Rankin. And 3 very special nephews, Derrick, Darryl, and Ralph Williams. And a host of other family and friends that will greatly miss her.

Otera was preceded in death by her parents, John And Willie Douglas, her siblings, Ralph B, John Wesley, Fredrick and Matilda along with her son Cleotha.

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