Ossie Lee Dillard

Ossie L. White-Wiggins-Dillard was born on September 24, 1939, in Terrell, Arkansas, the only child of Sarah Mullin-Brown and Booker T. West Sr. In 1955 she moved to South Bend, Indiana, to live with her father and her beloved stepmother, Geneva L. West, whom she affectionately called “Lil Momma.”

A graduate of Central High School in South Bend, Ossie continued her education at Indiana University South Bend before relocating to Los Angeles, California. She completed her studies in Business Administration at the Los Angeles Trade Technical College and Mission Valley Jr. College. Ossie retired after 27 years of dedicated service with the Los Angeles Unified School District.

Ossie accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at the age of nine years old. A lifelong and devoted Christian, she continued to be a strong believer in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ until her death. She lived her life evangelizing and signing about the goodness of God to others. Ossie’s personal motto was “Pray about All Things and Believe God for Everything,” and one of her favorite scriptures was Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” Over the years, this scripture was a source of comfort and encouragement for her. It was a constant reminder that we could rely on God’s strength to get us through this life, regardless of the situations or circumstances.

Gifted with a beautiful singing voice, Ossie was inspired by the profound Christian teaching of her Pastor and Father, the late Rev. Booker T. West Sr., and embraced her musical ministry with humility. She begun to realize and understand that her talented voice was a Gift from God and ministered through song on local and national stages. The Lord blessed her to share her signing ministry to vast audiences through concerts and recitals, even performing as a soloist for the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc., the National Missionary Baptist Convention, and the National Ushers Convention, among other venues.

In 1971, Ossie married Sergeant Claude E. White, who proceeded her in death, in February 1990. She later married Samuel E. Wiggins in December 1998; he preceded her in death in August 2014. She remained a devoted and faithful wife to her late husbands, caring for them until ‘death do us part.’ Ossie united in marriage with Columbus Dillard in November 2022, cherishing their bond until the Lord called her home in 2026.

Ossie was an active member of Greater Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, in the city of Los Angeles, CA, under the leadership of the late Rev. Solomon L. Drake. She served faithfully in many ministries while at the church, including holding memberships in the Pacific Baptist District Association of Los Angeles and the California Missionary Baptist Convention. In July 1999, Ossie and the late Deacon Samuel E Wiggins united with Second Baptist Church of Las Vegas, Nevada under the leadership of the late Rev. Willie Davis. While at Second Baptist she participated in various ministries and was a 2003 graduate of the School of Evangelism. She continued to serve faithfully under the leadership of Rev. Clayton D. Moore until her passing.

God called his child and faithful servant home to be with Him on March 7th, 2026. Ossie was preceded in death by her parents Sarah Mullin-Brown and Rev. Oscar Brown, Rev. Booker T. West Sr. and Geneva West; two brothers, Booker T. West Jr. and Damone West Sr.; and a sister Carlyn Davis.

Ossie is survived by her husband Columbus Dillard of Las Vegas, NV; one daughter Claudette Graham of Washington, DC; her grandson Ryan Waddy of Washington, DC; her loving brothers, Lawrence (Linda) Brown of Conway, AR, James West of Inver Grove Heights, MN, and Jeffrey L. West of Forest Park, GA; two sisters, Lucille Brown of New Hope, MN, and Renee (William) Bolden of South Bend, IN; two goddaughters, Erica Battle and Yulanda (Todd) Coleman; daughter-in-law Lynda Wiggins of Rosamond, CA and a host of nieces, nephews, other extended family members, dear friends and her Second Baptist family who will celebrate her life and cherish her memory.