Odessa Powell Clark

On the eighteenth of May, 2009, Odessa Powell Clark, of Drexel Rd., Valdese, NC, began her glorious eternal life. Born to Owens Bascomb, "O.B.", and Nannie Viola Cooper Powell on October 19, 1913, she was the second of nine children of which there are three surviving siblings: Emily Ermine Abee of Brunswick, GA, Rebecca Powell Dalmas of Valdese and John Henry Powell of Conover; and five deceased siblings, J. B. Powell, Thompson Powell, Charles Powell, Anita Fowler, and Myrtle Williams.Odessa met her husband, C.P. Clark, in August of 1933 at church. While courting on the weekends, C.P. would walk from Collettesville to Drexel. They married in 1934 and had one daughter, Cynthia (Cindy) Vernice Clark Fletcher, who was and would forever be their pride and joy. Odessa and Cindy shared a relationship of which most mothers and daughters only dream, for they truly were best friends.Professionally, Odessa pursued a cosmetology career. She studied dermatology under Dr. Charles Howell of Wake Forest University in addition to attending a styling class under Vidal Sassoon and a charm class under Edith Head, both of New York City. For thirteen years, she served on the state board of the NC Hairdresser’s Association, filling the position of President for two years and on the Board of Trustees for four years.Odessa was an extensive traveler. As soon as she would hear the work "trip", it seems that a packed bag would almost instantaneously appear. During her lifetime, she traveled throughout the United States, the Caribbean, Europe, and the Holy Lands. Her favorite place of all was the Holy Lands, and the fact that this was her favorite place is so appropriate because Odessa’s first and foremost focus in life was her faith in and love of God and His Son, Jesus Christ. She accepted Christ as her Savior at the age of twelve and began her lifetime of service as a charter member at Bethlehem Methodist Church which would later become Christ United Methodist Church. She served in almost every capacity from Sunday school teacher to organizer of the United Methodist Women to church historian. She also firmly believed in looking her best for God on Sundays, often donning matching dress, coat, hat, gloves, purse, hose, and shoes. She had impeccable taste.In addition to her only daughter, Cindy and husband, Rev. Larry W. Fletcher of Valdese, Odessa is survived by a grandson, Hugh Clark Fletcher and wife, Teresa, of Hickory; a granddaughter, Odessa Jeanene Fletcher Burris and husband, Ray, of Valdese; six great-grandchildren who affectionately referred to her as "WeeNannie", including Matthew Clark Fletcher of Chapel Hill, Sara Courtney Fletcher of Hickory, Cynthia Suzanne Burris, Emily Jeanene Burris, Laura Jane Burris, and Winnifred Marianne Burris all of Valdese. To these immediate family members as well as to her surviving siblings, their families, and to her close friends, Odessa leaves a lifetime of love, laughter, and living life to the fullest. She was an amazing woman.The funeral will be held at 3:00 p.m., Friday, May 22, 2009 at Christ United Methodist Church with Reverends Charles Gibbons and Martha Welch. Burial will follow in Burke Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service. Friends may view Odessa’s body from 9:00 a.m. until noon on Friday at Sossoman Funeral Home. A private family viewing will be held at 12:30 p.m. at the funeral home. At other times the family will be at the residence of Rev. Larry and Cindy Fletcher, 2859 High Peak Road, Valdese. Memorial contributions may be made to Christ United Methodist Church, P.O. Drawer 38, Drexel, NC 28619.