Brian O. Otuonye

Brian O. Otuonye, 33, of Atlanta, Georgia, passed away on Saturday, August 4, 2018. Brian was born in Hancock, Michigan on March 8th, 1985, and moved to Cookeville, Tennessee in 2002. He liked to say, "I have an excellent family and more than I deserve." One of his favorite Bible verses was Philippians 4:5, "Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near." Brian walked into rooms smile-first. He was beloved by everyone he met, known as charming, electric, thoughtful, empathetic, talented, sharp, hilarious and kind. He was an altar server, paper deliverer, Boy Scout, basketball player, speech king, Copper Bowl Prince, swimmer, entertainer, teddy bear, a closer, a businessman, a fierce fan of all things Michigan, and an incredibly generous friend. He was the tall guy at Homecoming in the shiny white suit and two-toned shoes. He was often seen quoting Sean Connery movies, singing along to Queen's "Don't Stop Me Now" and dancing to whatever tune was playing nearby. Brian attended Hancock Central High School and graduated from Cookeville High School. He received a BS in Business Administration and Finance from Tennessee Tech University (TTU), an MBA in International Business from TTU, and an MBA in Finance from the Keller Graduate School of Management. He worked as a Technology Account Manager for Collabera, Inc., a worldwide IT recruiting and staffing company. He attended Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Atlanta, GA, where he was a member of the Knights of Columbus. Brian was preceded in death by his aunt Terry Lynn Hairston-McGee, grandfather Ernest Hairston, great-grandmother Hattie Pringle, and great-aunt Alberta Graham of Columbus, Ohio; grandparents Marcus and Janet Otuonye, uncles Simon Otuonye and Louis Otuonye, and aunt Christina Anaba, of Aba, Nigeria. He is survived by his parents Francis and Karen Otuonye of Cookeville, TN; brother Christopher, sister-in-law Ashley, niece Caitlin and nephew Lucas Otuonye, of Houston, TX; sister Katrina Otuonye of Seattle, WA; aunt Helen Achilihu of Aba, Nigeria; grandmother Patricia Hairston, great-uncle Thomas Pringle, aunt Trina and uncle DeRell Sills, cousins DiMarco Hairston, Leanne Johnson and Randy Sills, of Columbus, Ohio; as well as numerous cousins and friends. Services will be held at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Cookeville, Tennessee on August 10th, 2018, visitation beginning at 10 a.m. with a Funeral Mass to follow at 12 p.m. Interment will follow at Crest Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the St. Thomas Aquinas Outreach Program (421 N. Washington Avenue, Cookeville, TN 38501), or a charity of your choice. Hooper-Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home in Cookeville is in charge of arrangements, 931-526-6111. You may share your thoughts and memorials at www.hhhfunerals.com.