THE JOURNEY OF LIFE OF ODESSA MCNAIR

Odessa Hardison McNair, a native of Fort Valley, Peach County, Georgia was born to the parentage of John and Fannie Hamilton Hardison.& She was the eighth child of ten siblings where eight of them preceded her in death.

She attended the schools of Peach County and is a graduate of H. A. Hunt High School and the Fort Valley State College (University). In 1960 she joined in Holy Matrimony to Mr. Raymond McNair of Cochran, Georgia who preceded her in death. There were no biological children but because of their love for children, they touched and nurtured so many lives of neighborhood and family children.

In 1960, she joined her husband Raymond in Los Angeles, and resided there for 33 ½ years. She was employed by the Los Angeles Unified School District and the Community College District and retired after 31 years of faithful service. She also received her graduate and Post graduate degrees in the Los Angeles California Universities. While living in Los Angeles, she was an Instructor-Coordinator of the Adult Literacy Program for twenty four years. Here she found joy in serving both teachers and students and encouraging them to do their best to become productive and viable citizens. She was very kind, but firm in her leadership, and was loved dearly by those who came into her life. She was highly regarded for organization, superior performance, and high level of professionalism.

She received numerous awards from State, Local Governmental and Community organizations and from the Congress of the United States for her kind and leadership abilities. She also appeared in Who's Who of American Women 14th Edition 1985-1986, Who's Who in the World, eight Edition, 1987-1988,a nd International Directory of Distinguished Leadership, First Edition, 1986. She was also a member of Phi Delta Kappa.

Dr. McNair's life blessed not only the academic and civic organizations, but also her church, family and friends. She understood that it was a good thing to love her church and the people around her. Therefore, while in Los Angeles, she was affiliated with Grant African Methodist Episcopal Church. She was a regular member and contributor to the ministry of African Methodism, and had thorough knowledge of the Doctrine and Discipline of The African Methodist Episcopal Church. Her contributions included: Secretary of the Steward and Official Boards, President of the Local Lay Organization, Financial Secretary of the Southern California Conference Lay Organization, Secretary Quarterly Conference, serving five Presiding Elders of the Los Angeles-San Diego District, Assistant to the President of the Fifth Episcopal District Lay Organization, Member, Legislature Committee, Secretary to the Southern California Economic Development Fund.

Dr. McNair was very fond of traveling. Her travels include visits to two countries and forty-six states in the United States representing educational and church traveling. Lay Biennials and Delegate to the General Conferences of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

After the death of her husband in June of 1992, she returned to her home in Fort Valley, Georgia in June, 1993. She joined the Department of English at her Alma Mata The Fort Valley State University as an Adjunct Professor. She also wrote the second stanza of the University's Alma Mata.

In 1993 she transferred her church membership back to Saint Peter AME Church in Fort Valley where she served in many capacities including a steward, choir member, and was a participant in many church ministeries. She served as President of the Macon District Lay Organization, the Macon Conference Lay Organization and the second Vice President of the 6th Episcopal District Lay Organization, and a workshop presenter. Odessa also was a member of the General Board of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Dr. McNair has one sister, Mrs. Mazie Hardison Mathis, who she loves dearly. Two sisters-in-law: Mrs. Arphia Graves of Indian Town, FL. and Mrs. Sylemon Rozier of Eastman, GA. One brother-in-law: Mr. Andrew Mathis of Fort Valley, GA. She has several nephews who she call sons: Raymond Mathis (Rose), Andrew Mathis, Jr. (Carlene), Johnny Jones (TaQuita), the late Daryl Hardison of Moultrie, GA., the late Clarence Hardison of Warner Robins, Kenneth Hardison, Fred Wilson, and Ricky McNair. Her other sons are: Elliott Mizell, Rev. Emory Lightfoot Jr. Rev. Mark Pierson, Jeff Lundy, Michael Dinkins, James Mathis and Dr. Quintin Green. Several nieces she call daughters: Barbara Gilmore (Raymond), Belinda M. Towles (Christopher), and Ellen Jones (Robert), Andrea Mathis, Virginia Ford (Alvin), Elishia Solomon (Terry), Fannie Renee Mathis, Sara M. Bernard, Robbie Rozier Jona McNair Brown and Janet McNair. Other daughters are Xaviour Tucker, Pat Lundy, Monique Smith, Rosiland P. Harris and Verbret Moore. One aunt: the late Mamie Booth, Fort Valley. Dedicated friends: Doris Reynolds, Louise Little, Ruby Duffie, and Karen Marshall. Others are Thelma Marshall, Nashville, TN, Carrie Dowd, Clarrise Simmons and Landa Williams of Los Angeles, CA.

Since there were not biological brothers, two cousins who were like brothers are: the late Douglas Hardison and Reginald Sanders. Other brothers are: Pastors in the Macon District and to her conferences. Cousins like sisters: Mrs. Katherine Edwards McNair, Fort Lauderdale, FL. and Mrs. Shirley Hardison of Fort Valley. A host of nieces, nephews, relatives, friends, all Lay persons in all conferences, and Bishops of the AME Church.

Five special mentors: Dr. Kathryn M. Brown, Atlanta, GA., Dr. Robert Williams, Macon, GA., the late Mrs. Anna L. Lumpkin, Fort Valley, the late Mr. Josiah Phelps, Fort Valley, and Mrs. Louise Duncan Powell of Fort Valley.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, November 12, 2017 from 5:00 - 7:00 at St. Peter AME Church 502 State University Drive, Fort Valley, GA 31030