Catherine H. Osley transitioned from this life to her new life on April 7th, 2021 at 1:40 pm surrounded by her loving family. Evangelist Osley was born Catherine Odessa Hudson on January 9th, 1934 in Wintergarden, Florida to the late Fred and Rosa Lee (King) Hudson. She was the eldest daughter and had only one sister- Emma Jean Hudson Mitchell (rest in peace).
In 1943 when she was very young her parents moved from Florida to Ohio where she attended Franklin Elementary School, Park, and Broadway Junior High where she was a cheerleader, and Alliance High School. Before receiving her diploma, she was married at an early age, from August 15th, 1949 to the late Dazzle Hawkins Jr (rest in peace), and to this union was born Dazzle Bruce Hawkins lll, Frederick (Wayne) Hawkins, and Cynthia Jean (Hawkins) Conley. She later united in marriage to
Edward Osley Sr in 1967, where early on she formed a blended family with adopted daughters Lovenia Denise Osley Starks, Savannah Phyllis Dobbins, and stepsons Edward Osley Jr, (rest in peace) Curtis (Buster) Osley Sr (rest in peace) and Danny C Osley. Although she did not receive her diploma she never gave up hope that one day she would receive it. She worked at the Burlington Coat Factory and later The Alliance Manufacturing Company (currently Genie) for 39 years before retiring in 2005. During that time she continued going to night school to pursue her dream of obtaining her diploma. In 1974, her dream came true! She had the privilege of walking across the stage to receive her high school diploma!! And that was one of the happiest days of her life!! BIG MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!!
Some interests of Evangelist Osley included dancing, roller skating, shopping, singing, music and she loved her sports teams. She was an avid fan of Ohio State Buckeyes Football, Cleveland Browns, and the leveland Cavaliers. Catherine grew up singing in the church, variety shows, concerts at Silver Park as well as performed as a soloist in various local churches and in other cities. She was mentored by one of Alliance’s greatest music teachers, Mrs. Aurelia Ruffin Cobb, who was also the former pastor’s daughter of the church she attended, Mt Zion Baptist Church.
Because of her love for gospel music Evangelist, Osley spent over 50 years singing in Gospel choirs as well as advising youth groups and directing children’s, youth, and senior choirs. When her ministry was taken to another level by a move of God under the leadership of Pastor
Richard D. Scarborough of New Zion Baptist Church where she preached her first sermon on October 5, 1997. The subject was entitled “Bring Them In”. She was later ordained on February 9th, 2008.
Along with her interests, she also had really good taste in food. Some of her favorites were: ham, greens, mashed potatoes, and sweet potato pie to name a few. And of course, we can NOT forget her fashion sense. Talk about a sharp dresser! Matching from head to toe, and accessorized to the “T”! Can we also mention her driving abilities? She knew she could drive. In fact; her nephew Terry Smith (rest in peace), gave her the nickname “Go Cat Go” because of her need for speed! And still today we say “Go Cat Go”! I am sure we all witnessed that one of the main reasons Evangelist Osley was so happy was due to her obvious love for her family and friends, along with her love for God! Evangelist Osley was preceded in death by her (1st) husband Dazzle Hawkins Jr, and (2nd) husband Edward Osley Sr, mother and father Fred and Rosa Lee (King) Hudson, sister Emma Jean (Jerry) Mitchell, stepson Edward Osley Jr, stepson Curtis (Buster) Osley Sr,. grandson Dazzle (Brucie) Hawkins IV, grandson Darius B. Hawkins, granddaughter Trina Thigpen, aunt Pearlie Sanders,1st cousin Jeanie Mae Stowers Pyles, aunt Ruthie Mae King (Walter) White,
1st cousins Zacharius (Zack) White, Walter (WJ) White, and Bennie and Willie White, Ted White, & Lillian White, Uncles- Jake King, Dallas King, James King, Leon King, Joseph (Joe) King, and AB King. Eddie and Joanne Odon, Sam Hatcher Sr., Rev. AD and Sarah (Dump) Carter, Joan (Carter) Clayton, Shirley (Carter) Tucker, Ethel Lee Carter, nephew Terry Smith, Julius Hawkins, Lela (Hawkins) McGinnis, Michael King, and Missy King, Michael Pyles, and Johnny Pyles, She leaves to cherish her memory Dazzle (Vivian) Bruce Hawkins lll, Frederick (Patricia) Wayne Hawkins, Cynthia (Hawkins) Conley, and adopted daughters, ouvenia Denise Starks, Phyllis (Ernest) Dobbins, stepson Danny C. Osley, 24 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren, and 14 great-great-grandchildren!