Odessa Hunter

The Life of Mother Odessa Hunter
(Matriarch of our Family)

Odessa Hunter was born on October 26, 1932, in Woodville, Mississippi, to the union of Alma Russell and Charlie Green. She peacefully departed this life on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at the age of 93, surrounded by her loving daughter, granddaughter, and son-in-law.

Odessa was reared by her parents on Percy Creek and was the youngest of four children. She was baptized at an early age and faithfully served as a deaconess at Macedonia Baptist Church. She was united in holy matrimony to the love of her life, Robert Lee Hunter, Sr. Together they made their home in Smithland, where they were blessed with three children: Pearlina, Doretha, and Robert, Jr.

Odessa was a strong, hardworking, and compassionate woman who loved children and played an important role in helping raise many throughout her community. She began her career at the Joan of Arc Canning Company and later dedicated 30 years of faithful service as a bus driver for AJFC Head Start. Her unwavering work ethic, kind spirit, and willingness to help others left a lasting impact on everyone who knew her.

She leaves to cherish her precious memories and celebrate her remarkable life: one daughter, Pearlina Turner, and one son, Robert Lee (Vickie) Hunter, both of Woodville, Mississippi; seven grandchildren: Angelia Veals of Woodville, Mississippi; Thelma (Kevin) Burrell of LaPlace, Louisiana; Iesha Hunter of Centreville, Mississippi; Damion (Shireka) Hunter of Clinton, Louisiana; Jarrick Hunter and Terrance Roby of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and Robert Hunter III of Kansas City, Kansas; 24 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; five nephews; five nieces; a devoted friend, Rondie Allen of Liberty, Mississippi; and a host of other relatives and dear friends.

Odessa was preceded in death by her parents, Alma Russell Green and Charlie Green; her beloved husband, Robert Lee Hunter, Sr.; one daughter, Doretha Roby; two brothers, Sidney Green and Henry Green; one sister, Ruth Gibbs; two grandsons, Otis and Curtis, Jr.; and one granddaughter, Shantell D. McCray.

Although Odessa will be deeply missed, her legacy of faith, strength, love, and service will continue to live on through the generations she nurtured and the many lives she touched.