Odie Hall

Odie Lee Foster Hall, formerly of Amarillo, Texas, died November 11, 2010, in Mansfield, Texas, surrounded by her family. Ninety-three years ago Odie Lee Foster was born in Panhandle, Texas, to parents Belva Elizabeth Baker and Odie Harmon Foster. Odie Lee attended different schools all over Texas, graduating from Amarillo High School in 1935. Odie attended Amarillo College and graduated from West Texas University, receiving a bachelors degree in 1941 and a masters in 1963. Odie's first teaching job was in Holyoake, Colorado. The one room school house had no indoor plumbing and only coal heat. Odie was proud that she started a music program and used the local library to supplement the art and literature programs for the seven students her first year. She taught at Forest Hill Elementary school in Amarillo twenty-six years, retiring in 1975. Odie Lee Foster married Donald Vinton Hall in 1941 in Imperial, Nebraska. They traveled the country, settling in Amarillo to start a family. They raised two children and were life companions for 62 years until his death in 2003. At that time Odie moved to Mansfield, Texas, to live with her daughter Betty Pool. Together Odie and Vinton helped build a neighborhood and community in the Forest Hill area of northeast Amarillo, living fifty-five years one of the first homes in the area. They were founding members of Grand Avenue Baptist Church. Odie was equally proud to be a member of the Forest Hill Missionary Baptist Church family. Devoted servants of God they served the churches and the community for years. Odie taught all levels of Sunday school and worked in every area of the church, gladly lending her beautiful voice to numerous choirs and programs. Proceeded in death by her five of her siblings Odie was the last living member of her family. Everyone loved her cooking, singing, piano, and harmonica playing. Odie could sew anything, raise a garden, can the vegetables, and grow the most amazing roses while still finding time to raise a family, work full time, and attend church every time the doors were open. Survivors include her children Donald Baker Hall and wife Mitzi of San Antonio and daughter Betty Pool of Mansfield. Betty's two daughters are Belinda Cannon and her daughter Zoe of Arlington and Teresa McMennamy and husband Lynn of Amarillo and their children, Kristen, Cody, Randi, and Jamie and great grandson Tanner James Allen. Today we cannot grieve her passing but rejoice that all is well with her and her Lord. Odie leaves a legacy of courage, love, honor, hard work, and faith in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."Her children stand and bless her: her husband praises her." Proverbs 31:28 In honor of Mrs. Hall's wishes and in lieu of flowers donations can be made to: Bisbee Baptist Church, WOM Missions, 3001 Gertie Barrett Road, Mansfield, Texas 76063, 817-478-9478 To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Odie Hall please visit our Sympathy Store.