A baby arrived in the lives of Otha and Bessie Cowans in Porter, Oklahoma on June 28, 1916. She was named Odessa Mae.

Odessa grew up in the Marshall Oak Grove community and accepted Christ into her life at Shiloh Baptist Church in Red Bird, Oklahoma. Later, she united with teh Mount Zion Baptist Church in Haskell, Oklahoma, where she was the "Mother" of the church. She served the Lord faithfully in the Mission Department until her declining health.

Her favorite hymns were "Do Lord" and "This Little Light of Mine." When we hear these hymns, it will bring back the remembrance of this special mother, whose love was unconditional. A special woman whose love has touched many relatives and friends. On October 6, 2006, in her 90th season, Odessa Mae Gist was called home to be with the Lord. She was preceded in death by her husband, Will Gist; five brothers and one sister.

She leaves behind to mourn her passing; a sister, Vester Collins, Tulsa, Oklahoma; a brother, Charles Cowans, Denver, Colorado; a daughter, Barbara Jean Straughter, South Dospalos, California; two nieces, Justine Barnes, Tullahassee and Marcella Gist, Red Bird, Oklahoma; a grandson, Wayne Gist, Haskell, Oklahoma; a great-granddaughter, Brianna Gist, Haskell, Oklahoma; along with a caravan of other relatives and friends.


The final tribute will be on Friday, October 13, 2006 at 1:00 P.M. in the Eastside First Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Mount Zion Cemetery in Haskell.

You may visit Mrs. Gist, as she slumbers at the funeral home in Muskogee on Thursday from 12 Noon until 6 PM.