Funeral services for the Rev. Elbert R. Osteen, 85, of Alto, were held Monday, Nov. 29, at B.C. Grant Baptist Church. The Rev. Daniel Parker and the Rev. Terry Rice officiated. Interment followed in the church cemetery.
Rev. Osteen went home to be with the Lord Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, at his residence following an extended illness.
Born Oct. 28, 1936, in Dozier, Alabama, he was the son of the late Gomer C. and Minnie Merle Josey Osteen.
Rev. Osteen was a part of the Southern Methodist Conference, pastoring churches in Florida and Georgia for over 46 years. Upon retirement to Habersham County, he enjoyed working at Ingles Grocery Store in Cornelia for several years. Elbert was a loving husband, devoted father, loving grandfather, and great-grandfather who provided for his family. He was a faithful member of B.C. Grant Baptist Church.
Survivors include his loving wife of 68 years, Olga Wright Osteen of Alto; daughters and sons-in-law, Judy and David Levins of Clarkesville, Vickie and Joe Galloway of Lakeland, Florida, and Sherri Dykstra of Plant City, Florida; sister and brother-in-law, Linda and Donald Lantz of Tampa, Florida; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
The family requested that memorial donations be made to B.C. Grant Baptist Church, 1405 B.C. Grant Road, Alto, GA. 30510.
An online guest registry is available for the Osteen family at HillsideMemorialChapel.com.
Arrangements were in the care of Hillside Memorial Chapel, Clarkesville.