On the evening of June 1st, Odessa Maureen Straw. 87 years old, died peacefully at Bethel Manor in Evansville after a lengthy struggle with small vessel disease. Odessa was born in Gibson County and spent most of her childhood in Griffin. She graduated as valedictorian of her class in 1951, and went on to be a valued employee at the Department of Economics at Indiana University and the Counseling Center at Western Michigan University (Career Media Center).She married Tom Straw in 1956, after having developed a much higher opinion of him than she had when they were classmates. Odessa and Tom lived in Kalamazoo, MI, from 1968 to 1997while he was a professor at WMU. After retiring, they returned to Posey County and have since lived in New Harmony. Odessa was an avid reader and a remarkable interior decorator, and was known by her daughters as the fashion police. But she was best known for her winning smile and irrepressible laugh, and her love of God and family. She was an active member of the Disciples of Christ Church in Kalamazoo and St. Stephens Episcopal Church in New Harmony, where she served on the vestry and as a member of the altar guild. As Odessa’s health deteriorated, she spent hours arranging pictures of her family so she could see each one at a glance.
Odessa is preceded in death by her parents, James Edgar and Phoebe L. A. Simmons, and siblings James Edward, HG, Claudette Eloise Carner, Lydia Mae Holderness, and Wendall Lee. She is survived by her husband of 64 years W. Thomas Straw; daughters Karen Ann Lockwood (Douglas), Teresa Maureen Ely (Peter), and Elizabeth Rhea Loros; as well as three granddaughters, three grandsons, and 10 great grandchildren.
A Life Celebration will be held for Odessa on Friday July 9, from 6:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M. at the Earl W. Rapp Annex of the Ribeyre Center, 603 Main St, New Harmony, IN 47631.
A private funeral service for family, followed by interment, will be held at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in New Harmony, IN.
Lisa Howard says
Tom & daughters, do sorry to hear about Odessa. I wasn’t aware of her illness. Thinking of you all!🙏🙏🙏❤
Gerardo Chávez says
My deepest sympathies to the Straw family and hugs from far away for my friend Liz. ❤️🌹❤️
Peggy Meyers says
Dear Tom and family – so sorry for your loss. She was a very special lady and will be greatly missed. I always loved spending time with her in MT. I miss those great times. Our MT family was the greatest! So many great times!
Peggy
Chuck and Carmen says
Dearest Tom Straw and family. What a shock to hear about Odessa passing from this world. We will always remember our Odessa because of you and her generosity and happiness with us. We send our special condolences to you all and know that we will be with you in spirit and thought when you have Odessa’s memorial and service. Odessa is now a brilliant star in heaven. Love to you all. Hugs. Chuck D Harrington and Carmen M. Rodriguez
Tom Hanley says
Tom and Family, Judy and I are very sorry to hear about the death of Odessa. Please accept of condolences. When Judy and I were first married, we drove west and stopped a while at TRGS. The 429 group was in Glacier and I went into the Roots to do fieldwork. Judy remembered that it was Odessa who comforted her and led the women remaining in the field station on a raid of the cookies in the mess hall. She has told the story many times. We are sorry for your loss of such a special lady.