Maggie Wardine (Green) Oda

Maggie Wardine Oda, 86 was called home on March 17, 2018. 

Maggie was born February 12, 1932 in Durant, Mississippi to the late Reverend Benjamin and Eva Green. She met and married her best friend Odessa Joseph Oda Sr. in Durant, Mississippi in 1947 and they relocated to Michigan City, Indiana.

Mrs. Oda was a long-time member of St. Mary’s parish for more than 50 years.  She was a devout Catholic who loved going to mass and saying the rosary daily. As a PK (Preachers kid) she was very versed with the bible and read it daily, she not only read the word, she lived it. Mr. and Mrs. Oda were blessed with 10 children and integrated the school at St. Mary’s sending all 10 children to the school during a time of civil unrest.  She was an advocate for social justice, supported civil rights and had unshakeable faith.  

She worked many years at St. Anthony’s hospital as a nursing assistant and later went back to school at the age of 50 to secure her nursing license.  She and her husband urged education for their children, all 10 children attended college with six having advanced degrees.  As a nursing professional she was a natural nurturer, advocating healthy living and the importance of nutrition and exercising; she also enjoyed private duty nursing after her retirement from St. Anthony’s.

After the death of her husband after 67 years of marriage she moved to Lithonia, Georgia and was an active member of Christ Our Hope Catholic church until her health declined. 

She leaves to cherish her memories, ten children, Odessa Joseph (Magdalena) Oda Sr., Lithonia, Georgia,  Cynthia Renea Oda , Indianapolis, Indiana, P.H. Omar Oda, Michigan City, Indiana,  Janice (Van) Gray, Chicago, Illinois, Romaine Oda, Indianapolis, Indiana, Joyce (Grady) Story, Lithonia, Georgia, Benjamin Oda, Indianapolis, Indiana,   Dr. John Oda, Irvine, CA, Elizabeth Lineberger (Vincent), Charlotte, North Carolina and Miriam Makeba Oda-Moore, Indianapolis, Indiana; thirty- two grandchildren, thirty-seven great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild and 12 nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her late husband Odessa Joseph Oda Sr., two sisters, Elma I. Randolph and Agnes Fry-Turner, sister-in-law, Bernice Homes, brother-in-law Merice Brown, one grandson Luqman Oda, one granddaughter Isabella Oda and one daughter in-law Najia Oda.

A Mass Celebration of her life will be 10:00am, Friday, April 6, 2018 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church 411 W. 11th Street, Michigan City, Indiana. Burial will follow in St. Stanislaus Cemetery. Viewing will be 5pm to 8pm Thursday, April 5, 2018 at Coleman & Hicks Chapel.

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