Dates
Odessa Marie Joplin McDonnell, 93, went to be with her Lord and Savior on February 8, 2015. Visitation will be held 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, February 10, 2015 at First Baptist Church in Plains, TX. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at the First Baptist Church in Plains, TX. Graveside services will be held at 2:30p.m.in Meadow Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Shaffer Funeral Home/Sherwood Way.
Odessa was born on July 22, 1921 in Whiterock, TX to U.N. Edward Freeman and Ethel Mae Cryer Freeman. She married the love of her life Robert Albert Joplin on October 2, 1937 at the age of sixteen in Rockwall, TX and he preceded her in death on July 12, 1978. She then married Melton McDonnell on July 19, 1980 who preceded her on September 24, 1994.
Odessa worked as a nurse at Seagraves Hospital for eighteen years, where she cared for many of her friends. She loved to dance and was a member of a Square Dance group for several years. She was also an excellent seamstress who could make anything she needed on her Singer. She loved her puppies over the years and we still have “Terry Ann”.
She and her husband Albert Joplin were Charter members of First Baptist Church of Springlake, TX. She was also an active member and supreme supporter of the First Baptist Church in Plains for many years.
Odessa was a loving wife and devoted mother as well as an exceptional “Momma” and “Granny”. Her grandchildren were her second family and she considered all of them her own. Although she didn’t know the first thing about high school football, she attended all of her grandson’s games to make sure they were ok when the games were over, however she loved the basketball games.
She is also preceded in death by her sons, Lynn Freeman Joplin and Jimmy Dave Joplin; daughter, Norma Gayle Joplin; great grandsons, Jacob, Michael and Justin; brother, AC Freeman.
Odessa is survived by her daughter, Helen Joplin Pope of San Angelo; grandchildren, Danny and Kathy Bell of Plains, Vicki and Murrell Brady of Ransom Canyon, Alan and Teresa Bell of Plains, Suzan and Eddie Henry of San Angelo, Cory and Lynn Bell of San Angelo, Carmaleta and Bobby Easterly of Carlsbad; seventeen great grandchildren; thirty great-great grandchildren; sister, Helen Compton and husband W.A. of Irving; as well as many nephews and nieces who loved their “Momma” and “Aunt Dessa”.