Odestera Smith

Odestera Epps Smith was born on Sept 1, 1953, in Tutwiler, Mississippi to Annie Laura Durham and Robert Epps Jr. She departed this life October 15, 2023, with family by her side.

She accepted Christ at an early age.

She was raised by grandparents Narcis Epps and Robert Epps Sr. and a bonus Mom Jessie May Epps Pratt.

She graduated from East High School in Kansas City, Missouri

She was employed at Merritt Foods for 15 years and later was employed at Williams Food for 35 years until her health failed her.

She united in holy Matrimony to Theotis Smith Sr. To this union three beautiful daughters were born. Lytaynia Smith, Tawaner Smith, and Melanie Smith. Bonus daughter Cassandra Smith and bonus son Theotis Smith Jr.

Odestera (also known as Odessa) favorite hobbies were shopping for furniture, baking, gardening, and attending her grandchildren’s school activities.

She was preceded in death by her father, Robert Epps Jr; mother, Annie Durham; her grandparent, Narcis Epps, and Robert Epps Sr; and Mom, Jessie May Epps Pratt; one sister Martha Jean Riley Coleman; five brothers, Roy L. Epps Sr., Lee Henry McGary, Hoarse Brown, Larry Durhan, Willie Epps; two sons-in-law, Michael J Prelow Sr., and Chirstopher Deboe Sr.

She leaves to cherish her memory three lovely daughters, Lytaynia Smith Prelow, Tawaner Smith Johnson {Dondre Johnson Sr.}, and Melanie Smith Deboe; bonus daughter, Cassandra Smith; bonus son, Theotis Smith Jr. (Nicole); six brothers, Edward Epps; J.L. Epps of Kansas City, Missouri, DeWayne Durham (Regina), Sammy Durham, Albert Durham of Indianola, Mississippi, and Larry Epps of Greenwood, Mississippi; sisters, Gloria Dean Epps Hooker (L.C}, of Kansas City, Missouri, Pamela Durham, Earnestine Epps, and Shirley Durham of Indianola, Mississippi; ten grandchildren, Michael Jr., Monte, and Mikia Prelow, Dondre Johnson Jr, Devonte and Kyndole Johnson, BreAna, Brittnee and Chirstopher Jr., and Abel Deboe; six great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends.