Della Odessa Cole passed away peaceably on Saturday, April 24, 2021. She was an elegant, sophisticated, feisty, fun-loving lady that was a red head through and through her entire life.
Odessa was born Della Odessa Worrell on July 20, 1936, in Norman, Arkansas. She was the third child, and only girl, of Ethyl and Richard Worrell. Her two older brothers were named Arie C. (A.C.), and Billy G. (Bill), and her younger brother, Richard Leo (Leo). Odessa attended grade school and junior high school in Murfreesboro, Arkansas. She moved with her mother and Leo in 1951 to Pasadena, Texas, to join her two older brothers, A.C. and Bill. She went to Pasadena High School and graduated in 1954.
Odessa went to work soon after she graduated from high school in 1954 with Gray Tool Company and remained with the Company throughout her professional career and through the Company’s various transitions from Gray Tool Co. to Vetco-Gray to ABB Vetco Gray. Odessa worked hard for the Company and rose in the ranks from file clerk to secretary, executive assistant, and manager. She retired from the Company in 2000 but continued to keep close friendships and relations with her former work friends and colleagues for years after leaving the Company.
Odessa married John F. (Possum) Cole, Sr. soon after she graduated from high school, but the marriage did not last, as they divorced after about two years.
One of Odessa’s great passions was traveling, seeing the world, and exploring other cultures. She loved traveling to, among other places, the United Kingdom, Italy, Greece, Spain, and the Canary Islands. She also loved to collect art from her travels and her home showcased her explorations.
Closer to home, Odessa liked good restaurants, her decades-long season tickets to the Houston Oiler’s games, playing poker with friends, and traveling with friends to gamble at casinos in Louisiana.
Not only was Odessa’s free time spent in fun-loving pursuits, she also took great satisfaction in sewing. She was an excellent seamstress and made and altered many of her own clothes and other items such as blankets and bedspreads.
Odessa is preceded in death by her mother, father, and older brother, A.C. She is survived by her brother Bill Worrell and his wife Judy of Lampasas, Texas; her brother Leo Worrell and his wife Faye of New Caney, Texas; nieces Donna Worrell Wilson, Debbie Joss, Carol Graves, and Connie Wall; nephews Danny G. Worrell, Terry Worrell, and David Worrell; and numerous great nieces and nephews.
The Family would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the caregivers, staff, and management of Plantation Assisted Living.
In lieu of flowers, the Family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Services will be private, for family only.