Odessa Betty Jo Greene Williams, the daughter of Otis, Sr. and Gracie (Merritt) Greene, was born Friday, October 11, 1935, in Hastings, Florida. She was the beloved sister of Thelma Joann and Otis Greene, Sr. Odessa was raised by her uncle and aunt, Reverend Robert "Bob" and Mrs. Luvenia (Merritt) Dawsey. Odessa was educated in the St. Johns County Public School System and was a 1954 graduate (Class Valedictorian) of Hastings Vocational Training School. Odessa was a very cheerful, fun-loving and adamant child - (Things had to be "her way").  She maintained those possessive traits throughout her illustrious life. She was introduced to her personal Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at a very early age under the guidance of her Uncle Bob and Aunt Luvenia, joining Pompey's Church of God in Christ and her membership spanned over eight decades. Elder John H. Pompey, founder, was her pastor, and her present Pastor is Elder Randall L. Chestnut.

Mother Williams loved her church and her work in the Church of God in Christ included the local, state, and national levels. Her contributions and support of the Church of God in Christ has been a blessing and labor of love over the years. Her level of devotion and service in the house of the Lord cannot be fully appreciated with words. She was supervisor of the youth department and secretary of the church. She served on the state level of the Eastern Florida Jurisdiction COGIC. She was an officer of the Executive Hospitality Board where she remained faithful until the midnight of her life was inevitable and declining health prevailed.

Odessa met the love of her life, Mr. Ruby Williams, and they united in holy matrimony on November 10, 1955. They became the proud parents of five children: Shelia, Ruby Jr., Eric, Angela, and Todd.

She took pride in announcing who she was and what she stood for. When Mrs. Odessa Betty Jo Greene Williams entered the room, everyone noticed. Her kind, alluring spirit caused people to gravitate towards her. She was the life of the party, was always meticulously dressed, and was a true fashionista!

Odessa was loved and respected by her peers and her lifelong friends and community.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in eternal rest by her daughter, Shelia; aunt and uncle who raised her, Rev. Robert and Luvenia Merritt Dawsey; grandson, Danal Williams.

Odessa answered the call to be rewarded to eternal life on Thursday, August 24, 2023, at HCA Florida Putnam Hospital, Palatka.

Odessa leaves to cherish her love and legacy: sons and daughter, Eric Williams Sr., Ruby Williams, Jr., Angela Williams, and Todd Williams; grandchildren, Reginale (Tabatha), Larisha, Erica (Kofi), Na'Kea, Willie Jr. (Christina), Ke'Ondra, ShaQuanna (Christopher), Marrieal, Eric Jr., Kristina, ShaQuetta; 28 great grandchildren; 5 great-great grandchildren; 2 great-great-great grandchildren; sister, Doris Blackshear; god-brother, L.J. Boyd, III; sister-in-law, Minnie Lee Williams; brothers, Kenneth Merritt, Sr. and Rev. John H. Williams; godchildren, Beatrice Jackson, Gail Threet Webb, Yolanda Kim Blackshear, LaKeisha Chestnut, and Sherman Robinson, Jr.; special mentions, Anne Thornton Green, Cathy Williams, Janice Whitty, Christopher T. Coleman, Katrina Williams, Jackie Miller, Frankie Mincey, Bernard Lewis; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

(These written sentiments have been submitted with a heavy heart for such an unorthodox time as this; however, we, the family, accept God's will and pay homage to Him for creating such a diamond that shined so bright upon all who encountered her).

Visitation of family and friends will be 6-8 p.m., Friday, September 1, "Flagg's Chapel of Serenity," 2400 Madison Street, Palatka. Celebration of Life will be 2 p.m., Saturday, September 2, The Lord's Temple City of Refuge, 140 Gilmore St, Hastings, Bishop Thomas Cave, III, Pastor & Eulogist. Her Pastor, Elder Randall Chestnut, officiating. Interment will be in Oak Hill West Cemetery, Palatka.