Passie Fenton Ottley

Passie Fenton Ottley

Passie Fenton Ottley (née Fenton; after marriage, known as Mrs. John King Ottley; 1868-1940) was an American leader in club, social service, and educational work in the South.[1] For many years, she served as Chair of the Georgia Library Commission.[2]

Early life and education

Passie Fenton was born Columbus, Mississippi. Her parents were Dr. Fenton Mercer and Passie (Butler) McCabe.[2]

Ottley was educated at Mary Baldwin Seminary (now Mary Baldwin University), Staunton, Virginia; Institute at Columbus, Mississippi; and the University of Chicago.[2] In 1926, the University of Chicago awarded her an Honorary D. Litt.[3]

Career

Ottley became a member of the board of the Georgia Library Commission in 1906 and served as chairman most of that time. Her last reappointment was for the 1936-39 term.[4] From 1922, Ottley served as the third director of the Tallulah Falls School.[5] Her newspaper work was along the lines of educational articles and in promoting social betterment movements.[2]

Otley was one of the founders of the federated woman's club movement in Georgia. For 17 years, she actively worked along every line of social betterment in Georgia. She was a member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC); Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR);[6] Woman's Department Welfare Work; National Civic Federation; Atlanta Woman's Club; and History Class. Through her husband, she was also a member of the Capitol City Club, Piedmont Driving Club, and Brookhaven Club.[2]

Personal life

In Columbus, Mississippi, she married John King Ottley, chairman of the board, First National Bank, Atlanta.[1] Their children were Passie May and John King.[2]

In religion, she was Presbyterian.[2]

Otley made her home at "Joyeuse," 20 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia, where she died August 16, 1940.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Mrs. Ottley, Atlanta, Dies". The Macon Telegraph. Macon, Georgia. 17 August 1940. p. 2. Retrieved 22 November 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Leonard, John W. (1914). Woman's Who's who of America. American Commonwealth Company. p. 615. Retrieved 22 November 2024 – via Wikisource. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. ^ "Funeral Rites Sunday for Mrs. Ottley (Continued from Page 1)". The Atlanta Journal. Atlanta, Georgia. 17 August 1940. p. 3. Retrieved 23 November 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ Georgia Library Commission (1928). Annual Report of the Georgia State Library Commission. Retrieved 23 November 2024. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  5. ^ Knupfer, A.; Woyshner, C. (18 March 2008). The Educational Work of Women’s Organizations, 1890–1960. Springer. p. 226. ISBN 978-0-230-61012-5. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
  6. ^ Daughters of the American Revolution (1914). "Mrs. Passie Fenton Ottley. 38959". Lineage Book. The Society. p. 353. Retrieved 23 November 2024. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.