SR0850 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0850 LRB104 21425 MST 36464 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Estella Odneal Oden, who passed away on March 29, 2026; and

WHEREAS, Estella Oden was born in Columbus, Mississippi to Earnest and Levella (Humphries) Odneal on April 21, 1948; she committed to her faith at an early age at Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Columbus; she graduated from the Fifth Street School in West Point, Mississippi in May 1967 and received an Associates of Applied Science from Mary Holmes College in 1970; and

WHEREAS, Estella Oden began her career in education as a second grade teacher's assistant with the Mississippi public school system starting in the summer of 1969 and taught sixth grade from 1970 to 1972; and

WHEREAS, Estella Oden married Jim Willis Oden on December 19, 1971, and they relocated to Chicago in 1972; she began working at Montgomery Wards shortly after arriving and took classes at Kennedy King College in business communications; she earned her cosmetology license from the Cannella School of Hair Design in 1999; she worked at Marshall Fields for a brief time before deciding to return to her first calling, education, in 2001; and

WHEREAS, Estella Oden began working for the Chicago Public Schools, starting at William Multiplex Elementary School in November 2003 as a guidance counselor aide; she took courses to become a special education classroom assistant at the Mississippi University for Women in Columbus, Mississippi and worked as such until she retired; and

WHEREAS, Estella Oden was affectionately known as "Sweetie"; she enjoyed tending to her flowers and plants in the yard, spending time with her family and friends, and traveling; and

WHEREAS, Estella Oden was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, William, Arthur, and TC; her sister, Rosie; her son, Jim Marcus Oden; and her daughter-in-life, Candle (Hudson); and

WHEREAS, Estella Oden is survived by her husband of 54 years, Jim Willis Oden; her siblings, Louis (Betty), Allison, Earnest (Rosie), and Carrie; her sons, Timothy (Robin) and Derrick Oden; her grandchildren, Diauntae, Jayla, Parish, Bryce, Kayla, Kameron, and Jewel; and numerous brothers and sisters-in-life, nieces, nephews, friends, and acquaintances; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Estella Odneal Oden and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Estella Oden as a symbol of our deepest sympathy.