Odette Elaine Smith

Odette was born on October 20, 1921 in Houston, Texas to George Edgar Wood and Helen Bernadine Clede. She was the eldest of three children with two brothers George Hershel and Donald Craig. She graduated from Reagan High School in 1939 and studied art at University of Houston. She married Joseph Carlson in 1948 and had four children: D’Ann, Dwight, Wayne and Donna. She married Roderic Smith in 1973 and her family grew to include three more children Alan, Donald and Leslie. As their story goes Rod was listening to the radio one day driving home from work and heard about a meeting taking place in Bellaire at a private home discussing the Inner Peace Movement and there, he saw Odette, a former classmate from Reagan High.

The marriage between Odette and Rod defined the word Love. There was an air of grace and peacefulness around them when they were in one another’s company, (unless of course, Rod was in the doghouse). One of their favorite job assignments was later in their marriage; Billings, MT; where they hiked and took many rock classes. They traveled to every corner of the earth, from crawling through the Great Pyramids in Egypt to living in an ashram in India. They soaked in every culture that they encountered and shared their experiences with all who knew them. Their admiration and respect of God’s world was beautiful and rare.

Holiday events celebrated at the Smith home were unforgettable and brought family members near and far, together. Her cooking, hospitality, and entertainment skills will forever be unmatched.

Odette loved unconditionally. She had a way of letting you know that you mattered and that you had a purpose in this world. All it took was one of her hugs and the warm embrace of her hand to feel how much she loved you. She had a beautiful, deep, and unique spirituality that she poured into others through how she treated and loved them. No matter what adversity she met in life she never gave up. Her spirit, joy to live, and positive outlook on life inspired family and friends to persist in the face of their struggles. In addition to her family, throughout her long life she enjoyed many things; travel, shopping, ceramics, painting, cooking, gardening, her Koi pond, baking brownies for everyone and going out to dinner.

Odette is preceded in death by her loving husband of 45 years Roderic Smith, brothers Donald and Buddy Wood and son Wayne Carlson.

Odette is survived by her children, D’Ann Blanton (Glenn), Dwight Carlson (Cathy), and Donna Webster (Howard), Step-Children Dr. Alan Smith (Linda) Donald Smith PhD. (May) and Leslie Smith. She was a loving NaNa to Troy Derks (Vanessa), Laura Domingue (Lee), Travis Starnes (Linnea), Christina and Christopher Carlson, Michael Carlson (Carmen) and Lauren Carlson, Jonathan Smith (Trish), Evan Smith (Emily) and Brooke, Brady and Johnny Webster.

Great-grandchildren: Winston (Londyn), Harrison (Samantha), Grayson (Lauren), Ashton and Isabella Domingue; Kayla, Kyra, and Troy Derks; Lillian and Nora Carlson, Reeves Starnes, Eleanor and Ezra Smith, Brenna and Cash Webster. Great-great grandchildren: Emory Derks, Evelyn, Zara, Winston and Grey Domingue.

Nephews and Nieces: Dennis and Leslie Wood, Nancy and Mickey Murphy, Heather and Adam Burris, (Leighton and Aniston), Nicole and Bradley Allen (London and Sloan).

Unofficial adopted sons, Tim Kent and Steve Ayers, so close to her heart and there for her to the end, cannot go unmentioned. Lastly, there was a very special group of women who took great care of Odette in the last few years that deserve mention. Diana, Kathy, Kay, Zulema, Karla, Phaedra, Jessica, Adilia and Xochtil, we are grateful for your kindness and wonderful care of Mom.

We all will miss her dearly. She was an inspiration to all who knew her. Her family and loved ones were the pride and joy of her life and her legacy will live on through them.