Odessa Jean Stewart was born April 8, 1934 in Marion, Alabama.  She departed this life, at the age of 82, on Monday, August 8, 2016 at home.

In 1936, her family moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana when she was two old.  She was baptized at an early age at Pilgrim Baptist Church.  Odessa would later become apart in the birth of the Greater Mount Ararat Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Ernest K. Starks. 

Odessa retired from Eckrich Meat Co. and was previously employed by Sheller Globe and St. Joseph Hospital.  She also volunteered at Head Start working with the children.

She had a special love for bowling and bowled in various bowling leagues.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Samuel and Lucinda Starks; daughter, Karen Denise Starks; brother, Larry Starks and sister, Lucy Sanders.

Odessa leaves behind her beloved son, Glenn Stewart; devoted granddaughter, LaToya (Terrence) Young; longtime companion, Joe Harmon; brothers, Rev. Ernest K. (Min. Mary) Starks, Edward (Mary) Starks,  David (Collette)Starks and Buster (Doris) Starks; sisters, Sandra (William) Carswell, Ethel (Roosevelt) Martin and Lucinda Williams; two great-grandchildren along with a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Ms. Odessa will be laid to rest in Covington Memorial Gardens

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