Jota Carlissa Montgomery

Mrs. Jota Carlissa Montgomery, affectionately known as “Jot” and “Dot” by her late grandfather, quietly entered into eternal rest on Thursday, April 28, 2016 at Palmetto Health Baptist in Columbia, South Carolina.   Jota was born June 24, 1973 to Mr. Joseph Gripper, Sr. and Mrs. Mazie Clark Gripper. She was the oldest child of three children. Growing up, she attended Midway Elementary School and graduated in the class of 1985, and from North Central High School in 1991. She then attended South Carolina State University graduating in 1996 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Later she earned her Master’s Degree in 2007 in Health Information. Jota was an employee at Palmetto GBA since 1997, where she worked as a business analyst. Jota became a member of Hyco Baptist Church at an early age and was a member of the Sunbeam Choir and later became a S.J. singer. Those left to cherish her fond memories, celebrate her home going, and grieve her passing are her husband of twelve and half years, Alexander Leonard Montgomery, Jr., two sons, Sheldon and Sean Montgomery of Columbia, South Carolina; her father, Joseph Gripper, Sr. mother, Mazie Clark Gripper, sister, Aisha Gripper, and brother, Joseph Gripper, Jr. of Cassatt, South Carolina; late mother-in-law; Janice Rouse; father-in-law, Alexander Leonard Montgomery, Sr. (Vanessa) of Kingstree, South Carolina; sister-in-law, Tonya Montgomery of Sumter, South Carolina; brother-in-law, Derrick Rouse of Charlotte, North Carolina; Maternal aunts and uncles, Vernell C. Reed (Howard), Thomasenia C. Robinson, Nora Clark Hayes, Deloris C. Gay (Michael), Iva C. Allen (Henry), Jimmie C. White (Alexander), Thomas C. Clark (Kathy), Barbara Feliciana; Paternal aunts and uncles, the late Lula Belton, Hattie Grant (Daniel), Clara St. Clair, Ernestine “Bunch” Palmer (Bozie), the late Mevadine Palmer (Thomas), Sip Gripper (Mary Ann); a host of first cousins, other cousins, relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Audree and Thomas C. Clark, and Leila and Sip Gripper Sr.