Odie M Edwards

Odie Edwards, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, sister, and friend, went home to be with her Lord and loved ones on July 20, 2026, at the remarkable age of 101.

Born on June 26, 1925, in Guy, Arkansas, to John and Vivian Shaw, Odie was the fourth of eleven children. She was preceded in death by all of her siblings except her sister, Gayle. Growing up during the Great Depression, she began working in the fields alongside her family at just five years old. Those early experiences shaped the hardworking, compassionate woman she would become. At 17, Odie worked in a bomb plant in Jacksonville, Arkansas, supporting the war effort during World War II. After the war, she returned home to help care for her mother and younger siblings.

In 1946, she married Odus Thomason. Together they welcomed twins in 1947. Although their infant son, Odus Gary, did not survive, their daughter, Brenda Mae, thrived despite weighing only 2½ pounds at birth. They later welcomed their daughter, Betty Dolores, before moving to Wichita, Kansas, where Odie worked full-time while raising her family.

Odie dedicated over 30 years to her career, working at Duke Printing from 1957 to 1979 before finishing her career at Boeing, where she retired in 1988.

In 1982, she met Jim Edwards, the love of her later years. They married in 1985 and shared 41 wonderful years together until Jim's passing earlier this year. Their marriage was filled with love, laughter, and unwavering devotion.

Family was the center of Odie's life. She loved cooking for family gatherings, making sure no one ever left her home hungry. Remembering the hardships of her childhood, she often said she never wanted anyone she loved to go without. She was generous with everything she had and always ready to lend a helping hand.

During retirement, Odie learned to play the piano and proudly performed at her first recital in her seventies. Her family especially loved hearing her play Für Elise for Jim. She also enjoyed collecting porcelain dolls, which she lovingly passed down to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as treasured keepsakes.

Odie was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Odus Thomason and Jim Edwards; her son, Billy Ray Shaw; her infant son, Odus Gary Thomason; her daughters, Betty Dolores Thomason and Brenda Mae Miller; and all of her siblings except Gayle.

She is survived by her sister, Gayle; 11 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, several great-great-grandchildren; Jim's sons, Dan and Alan; along with many extended family members and dear friends.

Over 101 years, Odie witnessed tremendous changes in the world, but the values she lived by never changed. She loved deeply, gave generously, worked tirelessly, and made everyone who entered her home feel like family. Her kindness, faith, and unconditional love will continue to live on in the countless lives she touched.

Visitation will be held Monday, July 27, 2026, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Hillside Funeral Home West, 2929 W. 13th Street North, Wichita, KS 67203.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Hillside Funeral Home West, with burial immediately following at Kechi Township Cemetery.