Odie D. Webb

Life’s Reflections

Paul reminds us in 2 Timothy 4:8 “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing”. For the Saints of God there is reserved a special place.

Odie Webb was special in the Webb family.  He was born on May 15, 1921 in Minden, Louisiana to Henry and Ida (Jacob) Webb, Odie was the youngest of 8 children all of whom, in addition to his parents preceded him in death.  Brothers:  Abner Webb (Tressie), Meron (Aletha) Webb, Henry Webb, Nathaniel (Marievelyn), Lent T Webb (Picola), and sisters, Mary (Judge) Reed and Eula (Royal Sr) Scott.

Odie grew up in Minden, Louisiana and educated in Webster Parish.  Before he could graduate from high school he was drafted into the U.S. Army.  While serving in the Army with the rank of Corporal he was stationed in Europe during active duty.   He was awarded several medals including the Bronze Medal for risking his life to put out a tanker fire thus saving the lives of others.

After receiving an honorable discharge from the U.S. Army in October of 1945 he located to Kansas City, Kansas where his sister Eula and her husband Royal Scott, Sr, brothers Lent T Webb and wife Picola, along with brother Meron resided. During his stay .in Kansas City, Kansas he resided with his brother Meron and stated he had many precious memories there.

Odie was employed a short time in Kansas City, Kansas but then went back to Minden High School in Minden, Louisiana to complete his education. He graduated from Webster High School in May of 1946.   

He moved to Los Angeles, California where he stayed with his sister Mary Reed and her husband Judge for about a year.  While there he was employed in North Hollywood at a Desoto and Plymouth dealership. 

He later moved to Chicago where his first job was as a cab driver.  After a few months he returned to Minden to retrieve a 1939 Ford he had purchased after his Army discharge.  When he returned to Chicago he applied at the Western Electric Company in engineering /manufacturing, was hired the same day. 

While at Western Electric he also served as the reunion representative.  He was recognized for helping protect the interests of employees, helped them to keep their jobs and to be treated fairly.  He believed and encouraged young people to get their education and not settle for low paying jobs. He retired from Western Electric in 1985.

Odie was a faithful and dedicated member for over 70 years of Greater Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois where he served in the capacity of a trustee.  The Pastor of Great Metropolitan, Rev. Michael Runnels, said of Odie that “he had a servant’s heart, an excellent spirit, like David -- after God’s own heart.”

In his Chicago community, he worked regularly with voter registration in the 4th Ward in South Chicago and worked on the Democratic Committee for several years.

Odie married Litha Taylor in 1957 in Chicago, Illinois. They were happily married for 7 years and remained close and best of friends until his demise.

Odie was a Classic Man.  He was the best dressed at any occasion and always stylish. He was never loud and boisterous but always smooth, calm, and encouraging.

He loved family and loved having family around him.  He was the last Webb member who belonged to the Greatest Generation” – those who served in WWII and the generation of machinist and laborers during a time of rebuilding. 

Odie was greatly loved and respected by family and friends.  No one was a stranger and he was respected by anyone he met.  He always had a story to tell that included a snapshot in history. Odie loved to tell jokes and he had a sharp mind and an extraordinary memory, even throughout his illness and until his passing.

He believed in family communicating with each other, as he did with his nieces and nephews whether they were in Los Angeles, Louisiana or Kansas City.  He often called them to see how they were and always asked about extended family.   

On Friday, November 10, 2017 in the early morning hours, while at St. Luke’s Hospice House in Kansas City, Missouri Odie was called to Glory. Left to cherish his memory is his Sister-in-Law, Marievelyn Webb (Kansas City, MO), Nieces and Nephews he delegated his care to, Evelyn Walker, Bitha Harris, Oscar Webb and Albert Webb, and a host of caring and dedicated Nieces and Nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews and great-great nieces/nephews.in cities across the country.

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