Odessa “Dutchess” McCracken was born March 8, 1928 to Mrs. Nora Kurtz of Albion, Michigan. She was the youngest of five sisters. She graduated from Washington Gardner High School also located in Albion, Michigan. She later married Joy McCracken in 1947 and the both moved to Roselle, New Jersey where she began working at Heights Rollenberrie a subsidery of Ford Motor Company. Together they conceived four children, Joir, Joy Jr, and Jackie and Jason (twins).
In 1966, the family moved to Piscataway, New Jersey, where Odessa’s husband, Joy worked at the American Cyanamid Company located in Linden, New Jersey.
A consummate mother and homemaker, Odessa was an excellent cook and enjoyed preparing meals not only for family and friends, but also for Thanksgiving, Christmas and family unions where she would make her special “fried corn” dish. She was a hard worker, good wife and mother placing her children at the feet of Jesus by sending them to church each week.
In 1979, both Odessa and Joy Sr. moved out to California to be closer to family. They later moved to Hogansville, Georgia where they both retired and lived with her daughter Jackie and family for many years. In 2002, Odessa’s husband Joy died and she later went to Maryland to live with her son, Jason and wife Carolyn for 10 years. During that time, Odessa traveled to many states with her family internationally and participated in several family reunions located in Michigan, Maryland, New Jersey, Bahamas, Las Vegas and later in Alabama where she lived for several years.
“Dutches” as she was so lovingly called by her family loved to laugh, watch movies on the Lifetime TV channel and read the Message Magazine, which was a great influence to her excepting Jesus Christ as her personal Savior. She was later baptized in Asheville, North Carolina where she resided with her daughter Jackie and family until her death.
Her mother Nora Kurtz, four of her sisters, Johnny Mae Armstrong, Marjorie Brooks, Dorothy Billups, and Jeanette Wilson, a nephew Michael Wilson and a grandson Troy McCracken, preceded Odessa.
She is survived by her children and spouses; Joir Reeder, Corona CA; Joy McCracken Jr., Huntsville, AL; Jackie (Frederick) Baker, Ashville, NC; Jason (Carolyn) McCracken, Huntsville, AL. Her eldest sister and family, Ella Mae (Donald) Cassett Westfield, NJ, and their two children, Marsha Cassett, Falls Church, Virginia, Donnie (Shawn), Jason Micheal Cassett, Westfield, New Jersey; Grandchildren and Spouses: Kecia McCracken Mosley, Ocala, Florida; Maia (Adrian) Collier, Ashville, NC; Phabian Baker, Ashville, NC; Lyshone (Barry) Johnson, San Diego, CA; Shenia (James) Swain, Dallas, Texas; Julian McCracken, (Davalawn Whiteside) ,Birmingham, AL; Janell McCracken, Birmingham, Al.; Jade McCracken, Tulsa, Oklahoma; Joy Tamar McCracken, Los Angeles, CA.; Great Grandchildren: Elijah Reeder, Christian and Julian Swain, Iman McCracken, and Prescott Collier; Great-Great Grandchildren: Ah Briie, Kadyn Davis, she is also survived by several nieces and nephews and a host of loving friends from around the world.
Funeral Service will be Monday November 6, 2017 at 11:00AM at J. Kevin Tidd Funeral Home,
811 Finley Drive, Albion, MI 49224 with Apostle Tim Kurtz and Chaplin Jason McCracken officiating. Family Hour will start at 10:00AM prior to the service. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery, Albion.
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