1940
Odessa
2016
Odessa Fortenberry
September 15, 1940 — June 2, 2016
Resilient. Strong. Life of the Party. Friend. “Momma”. These words only describe a portion of a spirited woman who touched the lives all she met.
She was born Odessa Fortenberry on September 15, 1940 in Tyler Town, Mississippi, to Holice Fortenberry and Victoria Brown Fortenberry Beal. In 1956, she moved to Chicago, IL where she met and married Charles H. Lewis Sr. on March, 26, 1958. They were happily married for 14 years. She resided in Chicago for 40 years, raising her family, before settling in Frisco, TX. While in Chicago, she worked for Amtrak as a coach cleaner for over 20 years to provide for her family. She was a member of New Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Robbins, IL under the leadership of her pastor Rev. Dr. Benjamin Garrett. She was a member of the Senior Choir and supported the Jr. Choir with fundraisers.
While in Texas, Odessa took much pride in being a charter member and the church mother of Sanctuary of Praise Fellowship C.O.G.I.C in Allen, TX. She loved her Pastor Rev John Wilson III, supported the ministry every step of the way and considered him a son. Being in service with her church family brought her true joy, and was always the highlight of her week. It was here that she mother, where she parented seven foster kids, and later adopted two of the seven children. Odessa never met a stranger and her personality and joking ways always left you with at least one story to remember. She was a woman full of wisdom and would speak her mind. Her culinary skills were second to none and she enjoyed preparing meals for any occasion. Her biggest hits at every function include potato salad, 7-up cake, sweet potato pie, cheesecake, homemade buttermilk biscuits & syrup. On holidays she could always be found with family and friends, eating, laughing, telling stories or playing a few rounds of her favorite card game…Gin Rummy. Her wisdom and wit were one of a kind. Some of her favorite sayings include: “If I tell you a hog weighs 100 and 1/2, don’t weigh him just pay me” & “If you’ve done all you can do, the best you can do, then you’ve done a good job!”
On June 2, 2016 the Lord called Odessa home to be at peace with her parents Holice Fortenberry and Victoria Beal, her husband Charles H. Lewis Sr., and 3 children: Belinda Lewis, Tonya Lewis, and Walter Brown who preceded her in death.
Odessa leaves a legacy of love that will be forever remembered. She is survived by 7 of her children: Cathy Jordan (Greg), Wendy Lewis, Charles H. Lewis Jr., Sherly Lewis, Michelle Lewis, Nicole Donnell (James), and Nicholas Lewis, 19 grandchildren, and 31 great-grandchildren, and a host of other relatives, and friends.
No matter where she was in life she impacted the lives of everyone she came into contact with and left an impression that is one of a kind. “Momma” will live on in the hearts of all that she touched.
She was born Odessa Fortenberry on September 15, 1940 in Tyler Town, Mississippi, to Holice Fortenberry and Victoria Brown Fortenberry Beal. In 1956, she moved to Chicago, IL where she met and married Charles H. Lewis Sr. on March, 26, 1958. They were happily married for 14 years. She resided in Chicago for 40 years, raising her family, before settling in Frisco, TX. While in Chicago, she worked for Amtrak as a coach cleaner for over 20 years to provide for her family. She was a member of New Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Robbins, IL under the leadership of her pastor Rev. Dr. Benjamin Garrett. She was a member of the Senior Choir and supported the Jr. Choir with fundraisers.
While in Texas, Odessa took much pride in being a charter member and the church mother of Sanctuary of Praise Fellowship C.O.G.I.C in Allen, TX. She loved her Pastor Rev John Wilson III, supported the ministry every step of the way and considered him a son. Being in service with her church family brought her true joy, and was always the highlight of her week. It was here that she mother, where she parented seven foster kids, and later adopted two of the seven children. Odessa never met a stranger and her personality and joking ways always left you with at least one story to remember. She was a woman full of wisdom and would speak her mind. Her culinary skills were second to none and she enjoyed preparing meals for any occasion. Her biggest hits at every function include potato salad, 7-up cake, sweet potato pie, cheesecake, homemade buttermilk biscuits & syrup. On holidays she could always be found with family and friends, eating, laughing, telling stories or playing a few rounds of her favorite card game…Gin Rummy. Her wisdom and wit were one of a kind. Some of her favorite sayings include: “If I tell you a hog weighs 100 and 1/2, don’t weigh him just pay me” & “If you’ve done all you can do, the best you can do, then you’ve done a good job!”
On June 2, 2016 the Lord called Odessa home to be at peace with her parents Holice Fortenberry and Victoria Beal, her husband Charles H. Lewis Sr., and 3 children: Belinda Lewis, Tonya Lewis, and Walter Brown who preceded her in death.
Odessa leaves a legacy of love that will be forever remembered. She is survived by 7 of her children: Cathy Jordan (Greg), Wendy Lewis, Charles H. Lewis Jr., Sherly Lewis, Michelle Lewis, Nicole Donnell (James), and Nicholas Lewis, 19 grandchildren, and 31 great-grandchildren, and a host of other relatives, and friends.
No matter where she was in life she impacted the lives of everyone she came into contact with and left an impression that is one of a kind. “Momma” will live on in the hearts of all that she touched.
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