Odessa LaDell Smith Smith Merchent

Odessa LaDell Smith Merchent, 85, of Lynchburg passed away Tuesday, April 11, 2017, at Heritage Green. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 60 years, John Weikel Merchent, siblings, Edna Lois Smith Graham, James Edmund Smith and Richard Lawrence Smith.

Odessa is survived by her five children, Valerie Annette Merchent, Janice Elaine Merchent, Tammy Merchent Blanchette (Dave), John William Merchent, III and Carla Merchent Smith (Reggie); three grandchildren, Jessica Merchent Jamison (Paul), Charles Weikel Merchent (Bailey) and Darren Nathan Smith; and one great grandson, Beau Weikel Merchent; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was born April 13, 1931, in Ironto, Montgomery County to the late Armon E. Smith and the late Maxine Edna Austin Smith. Later the family moved to Roanoke and over the years she worked at Green Hill Meat Packing, Woolworth, Kays Ice Cream and Garlands Drug Store. During this time she met her one and only true love, John or Denny as he was known to family and friends. They were married July 21, 1955 and lived in Marietta, GA and New Jersey, then settled in Lynchburg and bought their first and current home in July 1962.

Odessa was an excellent homemaker, wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She started babysitting other children in her home for friends of the family. Today some of those children are in their 30’s and still refer to Aunt Tootie with much fondness. When her own three grandchildren came along, she raised them during the day and later provided loving before and after school care for her three angels.

Odessa was a woman of faith. She loved and trusted in her Lord and would talk with Him daily. In the last few years, you could hear her talking out loud to God, asking Him to help her with everything in life (including daily tasks like taking a shower safely) and to be there and expressing her love for Him to Him. She was a charter member of Calvary Baptist Church and she, John and the children attended services at the start up location at Leesville Road Elementary before moving to the permanent church home on Timberlake Road.

Her life enjoyments were raising kids and grandkids. She liked vegetable and flower gardening. She cooked a full meal with meat, veggie, scratch biscuits and dessert every night for her husband and children. For many years she packed all five children and Denny a paper bag lunch. She learned to use the sewing machine at 44 years old when one of her daughters took Home Economics in high school. She made lots of children’s clothes, household curtains, chair cushions and anything she saw a need for. Then at age 65 years old, she learned to use the computer. She sent emails, scanned and sent family pictures, wrote letters and a family history. Odessa is a two-time cancer survivor. In her golden years she enjoyed sitting on the porch in her rocking chair listening to the birds, admiring the trees and watching the neighborhood happenings. She worked crossword puzzles, word search puzzles, read books…fictional and inspirational. She truly enjoyed listening to music, mostly country music and gospel music. Her all-time favorite from a 20-something girl to an 85 year old woman was Carl Smith. She had almost all of his albums. In the last several years of her life, she discovered Alan Jackson’s two gospel CD’s, Precious Memories, and would listen to those over and over again.

One of Odessa’s many sayings was, “Can’t say for sure not knowing for certain.” But this we know for sure and we can say – she loved with all her heart and was loved greatly.

The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m., Friday, April 14, 2017, at Whitten Timberlake Chapel.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 1022 Commerce St., Lynchburg, VA 24504.

To send condolences to the family, please visit www.whittentimberlake.com.

Whitten Timberlake Chapel is serving the family, (434) 239-0331.