Obituary of Odessa Springs

The sun rose on the life of Mrs. Odessa Springs on December 16, 1920 in Tatum, Oklahoma when she was born to Tom and Ada Lee McConnell. The ninth of ten children, Odessa had six brothers, Lloyd, Alvis, Tom, Claude, Bill and Lewis and three sisters, Grace, Alice and Lula. As a child she was always cooking and cleaning. "Odessa enjoyed playing with her brothers and sisters, picking fruit in the family orchard and playing basketball." Educated in the public school system, Odessa attended Tatum High School where she played basketball on the high school team and traveled to various other counties, playing basketball. In 1939, Odessa was united in marriage with Lewis Keyes in Denver, Colorado. To this union were born two children, Lewis Keyes, Jr. and JoAnn Keyes. The marriage was later dissolved. Odessa was united in marriage with the love of her life, Orville Clyde Springs for 47 years. She became the loving step mother of three children, Orville, Richard and Jerome. In later years, her granddaughter, Desiree, and step grandchildren, Penn, Jay and Andre were a special source of joy in her life. Additionally, she was blessed with great grandchildren, David and Erin and great great grandchildren, Daniel, DaShawn, Cameron and Faith and all the Springs children. They all loved "Momma" dearly. A woman of faith, Odessa was a member of Zion Baptist Church for 60 years. She was last employed with the VA Hospital in the Dietary Department for 20 years. She was known for hard work and being a pleasure to work with. In her free time, she enjoyed family, friends, shopping and having family over for food and games. She was known as a perfect host. Her best friends were Rosalee, Morna and Marjorie. "Odessa had several nieces and nephews and loved them all, but she had a particularly close relationship with her nephew, Otto." She was not a drinker, but loved having one beer each evening. Her love and caring for family was well known. To know Odessa was to love her and she will be deeply missed. The sun set on the life of Mrs. Odessa Springs on September 23, 2016 when the Lord called her home to eternal rest. She is preceded in death by her husband, son, parents and siblings. Those left to cherish her memory include her daughter, JoAnn Smith of Denver, CO; step sons John Springs and Jerome Springs; one grandchild; two great grandchildren; four great great grandchildren; and a host of step grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Rest in peace..."Momma"