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Submitted: 9/1/20 • Approved: 9/4/20 • Last Updated: 9/7/20 • R279791-G279790-S3
Odell
US Navy
World War II
June 27, 1923 - June 9, 2011
Odell Voth, 87, a resident of Bogalusa, passed away Thursday, June 9, 2011 in Lafayette. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 11 at Brown-McGehee Funeral Home in Bogalusa. The Reverend Marcus Rosa of Westside Emmanuel Baptist Church will conduct the services and vocal selections will be provided by Odell's niece, Paige Williams Fornea. Burial will follow in Ponemah Cemetery.
He is survived by his children, Tim Edward Voth of Bellaire, Texas, Suzanne Lyndall Voth Busby of Bogalusa, Rickey Claude (Connie Seal) Voth of Broussard and Gary Bryan (Lori Cromer) Voth of Baton Rouge; his grandchildren: Bruce "Trey" (Jennifer Irvin) Alford III of Mt. Hermon, Kristi Alford Miller of Bogalusa, Caroline Voth (Roy) Johnston of Houston, Juliana Catherine Voth and her fiance' Shaun Sullivan of Campbell, Calif., and Bryant Martin Voth and Leah Catherine Voth of Baton Rouge: his great-grandchildren: Devyn, Alexis, Jonathan, Isabella, Savannah, Logan, Justice, Amaya, Lea' Auna and another on the way; his sister, Marie Voth Hines of Bogalusa and in-laws Marie Bryant Bellavance of Grovetown, Ga., Shelby Jean Bryant (Elude) Williams of Angie, Charles (Carolyn) Bryant of Improve, Miss.; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Rita Von Bryant Voth; his parents, Claude and Myrtha Mizell Voth; his sister and brother-in-law, Glynn Voth (Dugy) Watts, his brother, Roy Voth; his parents-in-law, Shelby and Carrie Lee Graham Bryant; his son-in-law. Bruce Alford II; his sister-in-law, Oneita Bryant Johnson; his brothers-in-law, Leonard Hines and Bob Bellavance; and his niece, Kay Bryant.
Odell was born in Isabel on June 27, 1923 and grew up in Bogalusa. Rita and he were married on July 17, 1945, a union of 64 years. They lived and raised their family in Bogalusa.
He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, working in the mail room much of his time in the service. Before and after his tour of duty, he was employed by the U.S. Postal Service, retiring as Postmaster in Bogalusa after 42 years with the Post Office, an accomplishment of which he was very proud. He delivered mail on foot for many years and could name the street address of almost anyone in Bogalusa. Most of his co-workers knew him as Poncho.
All during his life Odell stayed busy with his many pastimes. He enjoyed wood-working, watching sports on TV, visiting with friends and relatives and just tinkering with tools and fixing things at home and at their camp, which was fondly named Poncho Villa. But probably his favorite hobby, which he enjoyed with his sweetheart Rita, was gardening. They were proud to share with friends, neighbors and family the fruits of their labor — their canned and fresh vegetables, pickles, mayhaw jelly and blueberry pies. Even In recent months, Odell planted a garden, made mayhaw jelly and even took a keen interest in gourds — growing gourds and collecting seeds of different varieties of gourds and reading about decorating gourds.
He also enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren and other relatives. Odell was very gentle, kind, witty and loving man and will be missed by many.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed Friday, June 10 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and from 8 a.m. until time of the service at 11 a.m.
Pallbearers will include Roy Johnston, Shaun Sullivan, Cole Fornea, Blake Fornea and Mike Johnson.
Rita
December 13, 1928 - December 7, 2009
Rita Von Bryant Voth, 80, of Bogalusa, passed away on Monday, Dec. 7, 2009 in Lafayette, after a prolonged illness.
She was born in Bogalusa on Dec. 13, 1928, was raised in Jamestown, Miss. and lived the rest of her life in Bogalusa. Rita and Odell were married on July 17, 1945, a union of 64 years.
Early on, Rita worked at the box plant in Bogalusa and was an Avon lady for several years. Her greatest passions involved the outdoors and the kitchen. She enjoyed hunting and fishing with her family while spending time at their camp, the Poncho Villa, on the Pearl River and searching for driftwood and Indian relics along its sandbars.
Always ready to share cuttings of her favorite flowers with anyone who stopped by, she earned the Garden of the Month award more than once for her impeccable gardening. Canned vegetables and fruits from Odell's garden, especially her famous may haw jelly, were gifts she lovingly gave to special friends and family in Bogalusa and in places as far away as California, Ohio, Nigeria and South Africa. Her generosity, evidenced throughout her life, set an example of philanthropy and stewardship for her children and grandchildren.
Rita was a member of Westside Emmanuel Baptist Church, where she taught children's Sunday school and served on the hospitality committee.
She is survived by her husband, Odell Voth; four children: Tim Edward Voth of Houston, Suzanne Lyndell Voth Busby of Bogalusa, Rickey Claude (Connie) Voth of Broussard and Gary Bryan (Lori) Voth of Baton Rouge; her grandchildren: Bruce "Trey" (Jennifer) Alford III of Mount Hermon, Kristi Alford (Felix) Miller of Bogalusa, Caroline Voth (Roy) Johnston of Houston, Juliana Voth of Walnut Creek, Calif., Bryant Voth and Leah Catherine Voth, both of Baton Rouge; nine great-grandchildren: Devyn, Alexis, Jonathan, Isabella, Savannah, Logan, Justice, Amaya and Lea'Auna; her sisters: Marie Bryant Bellavance of Grovetown, Ga. and Shelby Jean Bryant (Elude) Williams of Angie; her brother, Charles (Carolyn) Bryant of Improve, Miss.; her sister-in-law, Marie Voth Hines; cousins, Peggy Sanford and Willadene Barnes and many nieces and nephews.
Rita was preceded in death by her parents, Shelby and Carrie Lee Graham Bryant; her son-in-law, Bruce Alford II; her sister, Oneita Bryant Johnson; her parents-in-law, Claude and Myrtha Mizell Voth; her brothers-in-law, Bob Bellavance, Leonard Hines, Dugy Watts and Roy Voth; her sister-in-law, Glyn Voth Watts and her niece, Kay Bryant.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed Wednesday, Dec. 9 at Brown-McGehee Funeral Home from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at 2 p.m. in the funeral home chapel, with Rev. Marcus Rosa of Westside Emmanuel Baptist Church conducting the services and vocal music provided by Rita's niece, Paige Williams Fornea. Burial will follow in Ponemah Cemetery.
Pallbearers will include grandsons Trey Alford and Bryant Voth, and nephews Phil Smith, Glenn Bellavance, Mike Johnson and Robin Johnson.
Photo courtesy of Barbara
Contributed on 9/1/20 by billsully060
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Record #: 279791