OBITUARY Odene Smith June 1, 1924 – November 17, 2018 Odene Smith, 94, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, and friend went home to be with the Lord November 17, 2018, in Richmond, Texas. Odene was born to Robert and Josephine Hurley on June 1, 1924, in Yantis, Texas, and upon high school graduation in Hawkins, Texas, traveled to Waco, for training to assist in the WWII effort. After her training, she moved to Houston to work at Reed Roller Bit inspecting gun shells.
Some WWII vets began to work there, too, and as God had designed, Odene met Gus Smith the week before her birthday, and Odene’s only desire before their dating was for Gus to attend church. He happily did so, and after an “extended” courtship (2 months), they married August, 1945, at the home of Pastor H. Frank Fort, the pastor of Berean Baptist Church. Gus and Odene were happily married for 54 years until Gus’ death in 1999.
They both loved the Lord and were faithful members of Berean until Gus’ death and Odene’s declining health. Odene remained in the Houston area the remainder of her life. Many times over the years, Odene would say her priorities were God first, then family, and then God’s beautiful creations – especially flowers.
God blessed Odene with many talents, and she grew up knowing only to work hard at everything she did with the fervor, commitment, integrity, and the beauty of the “greatest generation”. She loved the Lord, and upon retiring from Oak Forest Pharmacy as bookkeeper, she diligently served in the Berean printing room and devoted her life to glorifying the Lord. She became a gifted seamstress (nothing was too difficult) completing garments and projects for herself and family.
For a number of years, she assisted her daughter, Martha, in her embroidery business. She, indeed, loved helping family and friends in any way she could. In addition, she found great joy in working in her yard tending to her plants, especially her beautiful roses.
She did so until she was 90 years old. Odene is survived by her two daughters, Bobbie Roberts and husband Michael, Martha Farmer and husband Mike, of Cypress, Texas; five grandchildren: Mike Roberts, Jr., Jeff Roberts, Kristi Hardy, Glyen Farmer, Jr., Bobby Farmer; twelve great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and a host of family and friends. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Gus Smith, her parents, two sisters, and two brothers.
A visitation and funeral service will be held at Pat H. Foley Funeral Home on Wednesday, November 21, 2018. The visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. and the service will follow one hour later at 12:00 p.m. Her burial will follow at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery. Honored to serve as pallbearers are Mike Roberts, Jr., Jeff Roberts, Glyen Farmer, Jr., Bobby Farmer, Matt Roberts, Blake Hardy, and Brad Hardy.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests with gratitude memorial contributions in Odene’s memory to Faith Personal Home Care Assisted Living Homes, Richmond, Texas.
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