Odessa Virginia James

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Mrs. Odessa Virginia James, 76, of Blytheville, passed from this life Saturday, June 30, 2012, at NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro, with her family by her side.

Born in Scottsboro, Ala., to John Leslie and Ruthie Roosevelt Guffey Pendergrass, she was retired from the Randall Corporation and was of the Baptist Faith.

Odessa enjoyed tending her gardens, quilting, watching hummingbirds and martins and collecting bird houses. She loved her family and was especially proud of her grandchildren and often put everyone's needs before her own.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Frelon Pendergrass, Wendell Pendergrass and Doyle Pendergrass; and one sister, Annie Pendergrass.

Odessa is survived by her husband, Robert James, of the home;

Three children, Timmy James of Decatur, Ala., Tammy Givens and husband, Bryant, of Steele, and Stacey Davis and husband, Kenny, of Gosnell;

Three sisters, Lela Patterson and Gene Jackson, both of Grant, Ala., and Nellie McCall of Blytheville; and

Grandchildren, Wesley Rix, Jordan Rix, Kristyn Davis, Johnna James, Reagan James, Logan James, Caleb Givens, Collin Givens and Madison Givens.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday in Cobb Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Gary Hyde and the Rev. Kenny Davis officiating. The family will receive friends at 10 a.m. until service time Thursday.

The family requests any memorials be made to the Bethany Baptist Building Fund, 543 Bethany Road, Blytheville, AR 72315 or the National Cancer Society.