Verba “Odessa” Rodriguear was born January 25, 1930 in Hardin, TX to Augustin Green Rives and Florine Luisa Ingram. She died on May 23, 2020 at the age of 90 in Humble, TX surrounded by her family. Odessa was a graduate of Hardin High School and valedictorian of her class in 1947. She played on the women’s basketball team and played clarinet in the band. She was also involved in the home economics program at her school. Odessa was also awarded scholarships to both North Texas State Teachers College and Mary Hardin-Baylor College.
On June 7, 1947 she married Norman Tanner and gave birth to a daughter, Charlene V. Tanner and a son Bruce L. Tanner. She later married John “Johnny” Rodriguear and had two daughters, Marlene (Rodriguear) Swearingen and Monica Rodriguear. She worked as a para professional at M B Smiley High School in Houston, TX and eventually retired from Teague Middle School in the Aldine ISD in Houston, TX. She enjoyed making arts and crafts. Her favorite color was red and she was an avid gardener. She especially loved big band music and jazz. Odessa was a member of several historical societies including the Daughters of the Republic of Texas and the Daughters of the American Revolution.
She is proceeded in death by her husband Johnny Rodriguear, son Bruce Tanner, parents Augustin and Florine Rives, and sisters Sally Johnson and Tressie Kellogg. She is survived by her daughters Charlene Tanner, Marlene (Rodriguear) Swearingen and husband Keith, and Monica Rodriguear, all from Humble, TX. She is also survived by her three grandchildren, Michael Swearingen of Houston, TX, Ryan Swearingen of Flower Mound, TX and Mandy Swearingen of Humble, TX and two great-grandchildren Liam Everitt and Jonah Swearingen of Humble, TX. Odessa is also survived by her sister Nettie Burnett of Hardin, TX and sister-in-law Cecilia George and husband Lynn of Humble, TX and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
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