Profile Image
Odessa Bowden
July 28, 2020

Obituary

Odessa Bowden (Williams) of Milton, formerly of Boston, peacefully passed away on July 28, 2020. Born in Cleveland Ohio on June 8, 1922 to Ernest and Sadie Williams, she has blessed this world with 98 years of love and compassion, inspiring all to see the best in others and live life to their fullest. She loved her country; in March of 1945 she supported the WWII efforts by working for the Navy as a civilian in the finance center and continued to work there until 1969 when she moved to Boston. She also loved and was very active in her community at all levels. For 38 years she worked for Unity Bank (later Boston Bank of Commerce /One United) which today is the Nation's largest Black owned bank. She also worked the night shift at New England Medical Center (now Tufts Medical Center) for 12 years. Odessa was on many community boards including the Roxbury YMCA and the local AARP chapter. Member of the Urban League, danced with the Goldenaires and participated at most functions at Unquity House in Milton, her residence for many years. She continued to inspire others at Hebrew Senior Living as she participated in their activities including reading to children groups that visited the nursing home. Most of all she loved her family. Her sister the late Lillian W. Parks, sons Kenneth Bowden and the late Rodney Bowden. Rodney's children Rodney Jr., Michael, Myika, Kevin, Krystal, and Mallory, and her Boston family, the late Linda Keels and her sons Masai and Hodari. Her nieces Carol-Ann Arrington and Linnette E. Lawson, the late Norma J. Burgess, and the late Steven M. Parks. She has 11 great grandchildren, four great great grandchildren and a host of great nieces and nephews. An inspiration to many, Odessa loved and embraced who she was just as much as she loved learning about others by traveling and experiencing new things. She would tell you the key to staying young is to stay active and keep learning. So, in lieu of flowers, you can honor her legacy by learning about your history and other cultures. Be open to new experiences, be active and please, someone go skydiving on her behalf! We all loved her dearly and we will see her again in Glory.

Visiting hours (with Covid 19 restrictions in place) will take place at the Brady & Fallon Funeral Home, 10 Tower St. (Opp. Forest Hills MBTA Station) Jamaica Plain on Monday, August 3 from 5-7 PM.

Content is coming soon...
Brady Fallon Funeral Home and Cremation Service
10 Tower Street
Boston, MA 02130
617-524-0861