Born Nov. 16, 1924, she was a daughter of the late John Bolivar Knick and Ottie Higgins Knick.

Also preceding her in death was her husband, Henry Wyatt Canady.

Surviving are her children, Wyatt Jackson Canady, Gary Michael Canady, Deborah Sue Canady and Katrina Canady Deckard; 20 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren; and siblings, John Henry Knick, Richard Knick and Pat Conner Magee.

Ottie Marie married Henry Wyatt when he was on convalescent leave from an illness sustained during his participation in the D-Day landings in France. Two years later, with her growing family, she joined her husband while he served in the occupation forces in Germany. In the mid-1950s, she moved her family to France, where her husband was serving with NATO. In the mid-‘60s, she moved her family to Teheran, Iran, where her husband advised the Imperial Gendarmery.

She was by profession a seamstress, but, working with her husband in his contracting business, she added the skills for framing, plumbing, insulating, tile setting, counter laminating and all-around carpentry. When he began building commercial fishing boats, she added fiberglass and top coat installation.

In the 1950s she began the hobby of genealogy. Over the years, her skills so improved that she reached professional status. She has collected in excess of 26,000 names. She has three published books, copies of which are found in the Library of Congress, the Washington and Lee University Collections, the library of the Rockbridge Historical Society, libraries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and hundreds of private collections. Her book “World War II Veterans of Goshen. Virginia” led to the creation of the Veterans Memorial in Goshen.

Due to her father’s death during her senior year, she was forced to quit high school to support her 11 siblings. Based on her life achievements, in 2021 she was awarded her high school diploma by Rockbridge County High School and graduated with the rest of her class, becoming at 97 the oldest graduate of Rockbridge County High School. She was featured on the front page of The News-Gazette.

A funeral was held Tuesday, March 10, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with Bishop Danny Wheeler officiating. Burial followed at Goshen Baptist Church Cemetery.

Arrangements were by Harrison Funeral Home & Crematory.

NG