Odell Giddings

Odell Bostick Giddings “Mama Dell” died peacefully, September 25th at her home in McKinney, Texas.

She was born April 6, 1925, in Bullard, TX, to James O. and Willie Mae Bostick and spent her early years in the Tyler area. She had also lived in Collins, MS, Gladewater, TX, Springfield, MO, Garland, TX, and McKinney, TX.

Odell attended Southwestern Bible College where she would meet and marry the love of her life, Louis Elmer Giddings Jr. After school, they would go on to pioneer and pastor churches in Tyler and Gladewater, TX, and Collins, MS. They not only raised funds to procure the land and supplies, but along with parishioners, physically built and filled the churches from ground up. 

After Louis's early death, Odell, while working, attended classes at Tyler Jr. College for bookkeeping. She would eventually move the family to Springfield, MO, where she would work at the Assemblies of God Headquarters and district offices while raising three children as a single mom. 

She was a loving mother who loved her family deeply, had lifelong friendships, loved to travel and was steadfast in her faith to the very end. She loved to sing old hymns and told great stories from her younger days that you could listen to for hours. We will miss her tremendously!

She was preceded in death by her husband, Louis, son, Jonathan Giddings, brother, Raymond Bostick, and sisters, Ora Mae Haywood and Fannie Ward.

Survivors include daughter, Sharon Giddings Woods of Plano, TX, son, James Giddings and wife Katy of McKinney, TX, sister, Ellen Purdue of Tyler, TX, Dorothy Strait of Deer Park, TX, seven grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren.

Services to celebrate her life are scheduled for 1:00 PM, October 30th, at Park Heights Assembly of God Church, 2724 Van Hwy, Tyler, TX, with the Reverend Jamie Eitson officiating. Burial will be in Tyler Memorial Cemetery, 12053 State Hwy 64 West, Tyler, TX where she will be laid to rest next to her husband, Louis.

Psalms 23

A Psalm of David

1  The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3  He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5  Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

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