Odell L. Overton

Odell Lang Overton (Mother Overton) was born to Felix Edward Lang and Mary Lou Lang on Thursday, March 9, 1933 in Caruthersville, MO. Mother Overton professed her hope in Jesus Christ at an early age at the Baptist Church of Swift, Missouri and later united with the Greater Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church, Inc. Mother Overton attended the public school systems of Caruthersville and Hiatt, MO. Mother Overton extended her education by attending a business college in Nashville, TN. Mother Overton's family migrated to Indianapolis, Indiana and she enlisted in the United States Navy and received an honorable discharge. Mother Overton was employed with Veteran Administration Hospital for thirty-five years, retiring in 1996.

As a member of Greater Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church, Mother Overton was a member of the young adult choir, the mother's board and for several years, along with Sis. Mary Alice Allen, supervised the Greater Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church youth group. The youth group was active in singing in the youth choir, attending Sunday school, the Central District Conventions, Indiana State Conventions and the Midwest Youth Conferences. Mother Overton attended Sunday church school and bible class. Mother Overton loved to fish, travel, spend time with family and friends and most of all serve the Lord.

Mother Overton enjoyed being a sister, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great great grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend. Mother Overton's love of the Lord allowed her to share His lord and how good He had been to her. 

Mother Overton leaves to cherish her memory; her daughters Francesca L. Overton and Mary E. Ferguson (Stanley, Jr.); sons Verne A. Overton III (Fatima) and Cardier L. Herring; sister Marva Sue Murphy; grandchildren Pleas Amir Ferguson (Kendra), Rebecca Nichols, Cora Adams (Dan), Nicholas L. Herring; Zachary A. Ferguson (Brittany); Kris Overton, Josh Overton (Carolina), Rebecca Mendoza (Euric), Robert Holder, Jr., Chauna L. Holder, Jenita Holder, Nata Holder, Trinity Overton, Mia S. Ferguson and Aisha Herring; great grandchildren Christian Graham, Lilly Lang, Olivia Hembree, Tierra R. Ferguson, Edward A. Ferguson, Tristan L. Herring, Zoey A. Ferguson; great great grandchildren Bentley, Lilah and Valyn; nephews Bryant F. Kelly, Christopher S. P. Lang; Cortland A. Lang and Thomas Overton, Jr.; nieces Selena Overton (California) and Toni Merritt; cousins Morris L. Allen (Alethea),Cassandra D. Majors, Trudy M. Rascoe (Larry), Alice F. Hurt (Stanley) and Bennie Brown; special friends Kim Gaithers, Antonio Coleman, Angela Ellis, Belinda Bennett and Sylvia Abston; along with a host of other relatives and friends.

Mother Overton was preceded in death by her father Felix E. Lang, Sr.; mother Mary L. Lang; uncles Pat Lang and William Lang (Pat); aunt Bennie S. Brown; brother Felix E. Lang, Jr., sisters Audrey Lang and Ruby Lang; sister cousin Mary A. Allen (Mozell); son Deon Lang; daughters Carol Holder and Selena K. Overton-Herring.