JoAnn South Ottley is singing in another place today. She will be missed. Born August 26, 1935 on her aunt’s kitchen table in Woodruff, Utah by the light of a coal oil lamp. She had the good fortune to have George Q. and Melba Eastman South as parents, who raised her in a home of love, fun, and support.

JoAnn’s life was one of love – for God, husband, children — stretched wide to encompass her many voice students and the entire Mormon Tabernacle Choir. She was the vocal coach of the Choir for twenty-four years. She soloed often with the Choir before and during her husband’s tenure as director. She considered the work she did as a team with her husband in service to the Choir to be the highlight of her career. Together they amassed sixty-nine years of service to the organization.

She was on the vocal faculty at the University of Utah and later at BYU Hawaii, a three-year assignment with her husband. JoAnn sang nationally and internationally with symphony orchestras, with the Utah Symphony Orchestra, Utah Opera, Ballet West and was a frequent guest clinician and presenter at festivals and seminars in many parts of the United States.

“JoAnn’s life was one of love – for God, husband, children — stretched wide.”

Late in their lives, JoAnn served her mother, father and sister as a faithful and loving caregiver. She is survived by her son Brent Ottley, daughter Allison Ottley, son-in-law Michael Thomas, grandson Jack Ottley, brothers J. Allan (Linda) South and George V. (Joyce) South. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Jerold and her sister LaRue.

Viewing and visitation will be held Thursday, November 10th 6-8pm at Memorial Mountain View Mortuary, 3115 Bengal Blvd in Cottonwood Heights.

Memorial Service will be held Friday, November 11, 2022 at 12pm at the South Cottonwood Stake Center 1250 E Murray Holladay Rd with visitation beginning at 11:00am.

Livestream link to the service will be posted at https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jerryjoannottley prior to the service.

“God Be With You Till We Meet Again”