Odester Brown

Mrs. Odester Lindora Williams Brown, daughter of the late Elemuel and Eva Williams was born October 10, 1940, in Summerville, South Carolina. Odester attended the public schools in Dorchester County and was a member of the 1959 graduating class at Alston High School in Summerville, S.C. She was tremendously active in the school choir, playing on the basketball team, and very involved in various school projects. Odester was united in Holy Matrimony to Stanley Reeves Brown on January 8, 1966, and they lovingly raised their one devoted daughter Kathy Renee. O.D., Dester or Dess, as she was affectionately known, was a very kind, generous, and loving person who took pride in being a good mother, devoted grandmother, loyal sister, aunt, cousin,  mother figure, and friend to all whose hearts she touched. Odester was a lifelong and dedicated member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. She accepted Christ and had been a member of Bethel A.M.E. Church in Summerville, S.C. since birth. Upon relocating to New York City and then Greenwich, Connecticut in 1960, she transferred her membership to Little Bethel A.M.E. Church, where she faithfully served until her return to Summerville, S.C. in July 2009, and transferred her membership back to her home church. While in Greenwich, she was an avid bowler and was awarded various state and national titles. Throughout her service in Christian ministry, Odester from her early years was an active member of the Junior Choir, YPD, and Sunday School, thus in her adult life led to her teaching Sunday School. She was a member of both the Lay and Missionary Organizations, and she served as Pro Tem of both the Steward and Trustee Boards. With her love for the church, she later served as the Church Treasurer, Christian Education Director, and chaired the Church Anniversary and Women’s Day programs. She never hesitated to serve her beloved church in any way. On Tuesday, June 20, 2023, Odester made her transition to live forever with her Lord! She was preceded in death by her husband, Stanley of thirty-two years, her parents, and one sister; Geneva Gordon. Her beautiful life will forever be cherished in the lives of her devoted daughter Mrs. Kathy R. Jenkins (Richard, Sr.) of Wilmington, N.C., loving niece, Leslie Hunter of Summerville, S.C., and her grandchildren who she loved so much: grandsons Nathaniel J. Birt (Heather) Wilmington, N.C., and Richard I. Jenkins, Jr. Philadelphia, PA.; three granddaughters Rev. Leigha N. Birt Atlanta, G.A., Katrina R. Birt-Jenkins Fayetteville, N.C., Trinamarie Jackson (James, Jr.) Chester, VA., four great-grandsons James Jackson, III., Richard I. Jenkins, III, Chandler J. Birt, and Liam Jenkins; five great-granddaughters Natalie J. Birt, Julianna Jenkins, Dejahynamarie Jackson; Chloe M. Birt, Whitley B. Johnson; two great-great-grandchildren, Keagan and Adaeyamarie, niece Carol T. Hill (Patrick) Ridgeville, S.C.. two nephews Steven G. Gordon (Joan) Florence, S.C., Vincent L. Gordon (Maxine) New York, NY, one sister-in-law Wanda Doyle (Stephen, Jr.) White Plains, N.Y and “The Grandma Crew”- Dr. Marguerite Tiggs-Birt and Dr. Helen Jenkins-Early and a host of family and friends.

On behalf of the family, we encourage you to share your personal experiences and preserve the memory of Ms. Odester Brown for future generations to come.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Odester Brown, please visit our floral store.