Odessa Miller Thomas

Madison -- Odessa Miller Thomas, age 82, died on Friday, November 7, 2008. She was born July 31, 1926 in Coahoma, Mississippi to the union of Wash and Sallie (Fields) Thomas. Odessa attended Hull Elementary School in Coahoma where she graduated the eighth grade. Odessa accepted Christ at age 15 in Coahoma at Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor G. O. Robinson, where she was a faithful member until the church was structurally demolished. Odessa then joined Mt. Mariah Missionary Baptist Church in Coahoma, Mississippi and served as church secretary. Odessa was a laborer and home owner, emphasizing to her children and others the importance of an education, exercising your right to vote, treating others with love and respect, not to forget where you come from and most importantly seeking the Lord as your savior. In June 1984, Odessa moved to Madison, Wisconsin, and later joined the Mt. Zion Baptist Church, where she served on the Mother's Board, actively participated in Sunday School, prayer meetings, Bible Studies, the Food Pantry, and help with the annual distribution of the Thanksgiving baskets. Odessa continued to touch the hearts of others, sharing her wisdom and love for the Lord our savior in Jesus Christ. She leaves memories to her sons, D.L. (Hershey) Bridges of Madison, Wisconsin, Donald (Armelia) Thomas of Coahoma, Mississippi; daughters, Annette (Joe) Clure of Glendale, Arizona and Sally Thomas of Madison, Wisconsin; ten grandchildren, Roddis R. Hopkins, Dequeshia L. Hopkins, David L. Bridges, Dequeshia M. Bush, Ebony C. Thomas, Darryl W. Bridges, Troy D. Bush, Christopher C. Thomas, Danielle J. Bridges and Derek A. Bridges; ten greatgrandchildren, Daejah, Darryl Jr., Alvin Jr., Micaeala, David Jr., Quentin, Christopher II, Troy, Carmen and Sa'Rhy; one sister, Mary Alice Meeks of Toledo, Ohio; one sister-in-law, Louise Thomas of Toledo, Ohio and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Odessa was preceded in death by her son, Clint Thomas; parents, Wash and Sallie Thomas; and siblings, Ollie Mae Blacknall, Robert James Thomas, Carrie Lee Childress, Roosevelt Thomas, Roger Thomas and Edgar Earl Thomas. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 15, 2008 at MT. ZION BAPTIST CHURCH, 2019 Fisher Street, Madison. A visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the church on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, the family has set up donations in memory of Odessa Miller Thomas to Mt. Zion Baptist Church ""Community Life Center"". Odessa, we will miss you, but we know God has something better for you.