Elder Otheo J. Savage

Rev. Otheo J. Savage was born on January 11, 1932, in Chester, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Otheo G. Savage Sr. and Alice Savage. He was the brother of Evelyn Womack. Rev. Otheo J. Savage was educated in the Chester Upland School District. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Army for three years. During his military enlistment, he married his childhood sweetheart Elaine Brown. From his union with Elaine, God blessed them with a beautiful, sweet, caring daughter, Sandra K. Pittman (Andrew Pittman). He was the grandfather of Dr. Deborah Gibbs-Tapper (Leroy Tapper) and Dr. Stephanie Gibbs-Emenaka (Obinna Emenaka) and great- grandfather of Xavier Lee Tapper, Kyle Emenaka, and Mason Emenaka. In 1968 Rev. Otheo J. Savage joined Mt. Zion United Holy Disciple Church under the pastorate of Elder Alexander J. Pyatt. Thereafter, he became a trustee by the executive board of the church and was ordained a Deacon, and elected Vice Chairman of the Deacon Board. While Rev. Otheo J. Savage served as the Financial Secretary, he received a divine call and was inspired to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Rev. Otheo J. Savage studied four and a half years at the Howard O. Jamison Bible Institute in Philadelphia, PA. Subsequently, he received his evangelist license and was ordained an Elder by the Board of Presbytery of the Northern District Convocation in Towson, Maryland. In July 1992, Rev. Otheo J. Savage was elected by the members of Mt. Zion United Holy Disciple Church and was appointed by the Northern District Convocation, of the United Holy Church of America to become pastor of Mt. Zion United Holy Disciple Church. He served as the pastor of the Mt. Zion United Holy Disciple Church until his retirement on July 24, 2023. Despite his retirement, Rev. Savage could be found every Sunday at Mt. Zion United Holy Church prepared to conduct Sunday Morning Prayer. During his free time, he loved telling old war stories, eating his favorite foods, watching television, spending time with his great- grandchildren, and simply sitting on the porch and speaking to everyone who passed by his front door. He always had a smile on his face, would freely offer a few words of advice, and always would talk about the LORD. Some of his favorite sayings were: “I love him today, don’t you” and “we are small in number, but big in heart”. Rev. Otheo J. Savage has gone to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. However, he leaves a legacy of showing others the importance of service, dedication, and commitment to “Kingdom Building”.

Elder Otheo J. Savage

January 11, 1932 - October 12, 2023