Odessa Louise Overton

Odessa was born in Jenkinjones, West Virginia, to Alphonzo and Theressa Brown on March 9, 1948. She was the fourth child, and eldest daughter, of eleven children. Upon graduation in 1967 from Gary High School, she left Thorpe, West Virginia, and spent some time in Ohio. Not long thereafter, she moved to New York where she earned a living working as a housekeeper. Subsequently she enlisted, albeit briefly, in the United States Army. Once she decided to have children, she left the military and moved to Washington, D.C. The next few decades were spent living in Washington, D.C. and Maryland, working in the service industry and raising her four young daughters. Odessa brought them up to live simple, unpretentious, carefree lives--the same way as she had always lived her own. She truly loved socializing with family and friends. The children particularly enjoyed funning with her as she was known to spend as much time playing and joking with them at gatherings as she did with the adults. She was a proud grandmother that loved table games and word puzzles, and she prided herself on the fact that her cooking was enjoyed by three generations. Every mouth watered at the mention of her fried chicken, potato salad, or sweet potato pie. At times, she could seem insensitive with her biting wit, but she could just as easily have you in a fit of laughter with her comedic banter.

Quite some time ago, Odessa took early retirement and eventually went to live with one of her daughters. Despite having been diagnosed with kidney failure, she continued living her life with a devil-may-care frame of mind. In her lifetime she had conquered numerous major health issues, and this was just another in a line of many. She took her dialysis treatments in stride and continued to overcome all obstacles that stood in her path. In countless ways, she was one of the most mentally and physically resilient women you could ever imagine. Sadly, in the spring of 2022, Odessa took a really debilitating fall which prompted her to have need of extensive physical and occupational therapy. Everyone, including she, had enduring optimism that her recovery would be a speedy one; but unfortunately she never quite found her way back to complete physical health. Despite a vigorous zest for life and a strong will to live, Odessa Louise Overton, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, had a peaceful passing, surrounded by her loving daughters. May you rest in eternal peace, Mommy; we miss you

May you rest in eternal peace, Mommy; we miss you.

Odessa Overton was preceded in death by her parents, Theressa and Alphonzo Brown; her estranged husband, Robert Overton; her partner, Albert Dowd; and four siblings: Earnest, Edna, Karen, and Michael. She is survived by her daughters: Cecelia, Kimberley [Colin], Annie, and Shanita [Joseph]; her grandchildren: Derell, Evan, Dontria, Nathan, Khamari, and Monti; her great-grandchildren: Niyalei, Nazir, Dailen, and Amia; her siblings: Connie, Gilford, Shila, Alphonse, Francine, and Cathy; her lifelong friend, Josephine; her devoted caregiver, Joe; and a multitude of nieces and nephews.