Oden Erwin

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Oden Martha Janke (Deannie) Erwin, 89, of Waco, went home to be with her Lord on Wednesday, February 6, 2008, at her residence. Services will be held at 4 pm on Saturday, February 9, 2008 at Lake Shore Drive Church of Christ with Ernie Christie officiating with burial following at Gerald Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8, at the OakCrest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque Blvd. A memorial video honoring her life will be shown during the visitation.

Mrs. Erwin was born on June 27, 1918 in Gerald, McLennan County, Texas. She attended the National School of Business in Waco. She worked for the Veterans Administration Regional Office and as a Secretary in the Baylor Speech and Hearing Clinic until her retirement.

She was a past member of Crestview Church of Christ, and a present member of Lake Shore Church of Christ.

Deannie was actively involved in her church activities, which included working in the nursery and the benevolent room, participating in a visitation program, working with the World Bible Study program, hosting the widows Christmas dinner, and being a Special Sister. She was faithful to her Lord by attending bible class, worship, and a Tuesday morning Ladies Bible Class.

Oden lead a diverse and interesting life. As a young Mother Oden was actively involved in the Waco Public School system, Parent-Teacher Association, as a Den Mother/Leader for the Boy Scouts of America and the Blue Bird Girls.

When the family became involved in horses Deannie went on the Cedar Brake Trail Ride, spent nights camping at Charlie Young's Lake, and traveled all over Central Texas attending horse shows. Later in life Mrs. Erwin became a member of the Elm Mott Home Demonstration Club, trained and became a counselor with AARP'S Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program, and she cooked Meal-on-Wheels. Oil painting was an area where she excelled, creating many beautiful pictures that her family will enjoy for many years.

In her lifetime she was blessed to travel with her loving husband extensively across the United States and on cruises. Her love of quotes motivated her to write a book of quotes for each member of her immediate family.

In her golden years Oden wanted to leave a legacy to her family and she wrote the story of her life. Mrs. Erwin was an accomplished seamstress and carried that talent into quilt making. She loved to cook and have her family's feet under her table. Deannie put immeasurable energy into supporting her children and Grandchildren through many stages of their life, with all the activities that each of them chose to pursue.

To celebrate her 75th birthday friends and family were asked to write a reflective story in regard to their relationship with Deannie, the tremendous outpouring of the letters proved the special relationship she shared with others throughout her life.

Her love of entertaining continued into her late 80's when she still had groups of ladies into her home to play games and spend time together.

After a lifetime of never allowing pets in the home, Deannie became of a lover of "Miss Kitty" and would ask that she be allowed to spend the night so they could share time together, and play with Max. Deannie was a very bright light in all our lives, to know her was to love her and we will cherish her memory.

After a lifetime of service dedicated to her family and fellow human beings on earth Oden is going to be with her Father in heaven.

Oden Martha Janke married John Henry Erwin on February 19, 1944 in Waco, Texas. They celebrated the births of two children John Wayne, and Sharon Joyce. In 1994 John and Oden celebrated 50 years of marriage. Her husband, parents, 5 brothers and 2 sisters preceded her in death.

Oden (Deannie) is survived by her son John W. Erwin and wife Trish, her daughter Sharon Joyce McNary, and her grandchildren; Shellie Joyce McNary, Shelia Kay McNary, Sherry Ann McNary, John Walter Erwin, and Emily Margaret Erwin McCann and husband Jimmy, step-grandchildren Catherine Nunley and Chris Nunley, precious great grandsons Joshua McNary and Tyrone McNary.

Pallbearers will be Richard Wilshire, Monroe Janke Jr., Maurice Janke, Mark Watkins, Kevin Farley, and Tom Sivils.

Honorary Pallbearers will be her kind Doctor and dear friend Dr. John Speckmiear, her pastor Ernie Christi, Frank Beard, Charles Fedro, Dr. Mark Story, and Andrew Cottrell.

Memorials may be made to the Lake Shore Church of Christ or Gerald Cemetery Association.

The beautiful gate stood ajar one day and our beloved one slipped through. She wandered away in the fields of God, out of our finite view. Sheltered there in His Wonderful Love. Happy and Gay and Sweet - Blithe spirit, she waits for the glorious dawn. When reunion shall be complete! The years ahead look dreary and long. But looking back we shall see. The way has been but "a watch in the night" from here to eternity. So may we wait with our hand in God's For she holds her hand there too. Till someday the gate swings open again and we can follow her through. Isaiah 40:31