Marguerite Anderson

Marguerite Odell Anderson, 89, of Austin passed away May 20, 2012. She was born December 12, 1922 in Manor, TX to Willie and Edna (Cottle) McKenzie. Odell had six children and two step-sons. She was pre-deceased by her infant daughter Janice Kay Jones, her sons Michael Jones and Bobby Jones, and her step-son Orville Anderson. She was a devoted wife of her second husband Marvin Anderson who she cared for many years until his death in 2002. She also took care of two of her sons while they were suffering through incurable diseases. She raised five sons as a single mom by working two jobs for over 10 years.

Even though Odell suffered through many hardships in life, she enjoyed her family, church, and travel. She was a hostess at the House of the Lord for over 30 years. She enjoyed going on vacations with her sons. She travelled to Colorado numerous times with Albert Jones and his family, Debbie, Traci, and Emily where they enjoyed the cool weather and fishing. She enjoyed trips to New York City, Arizona, Las Vegas, California, and Washington D.C. with her sons Michael and Jerry Jones. On many occasions she took her sister-in-law, Alice McKenzie, along as a travelling companion. They had great times seeing and doing new things together. She also made numerous trips with her son Larry Jones to Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, Texas Gulf Coast and his place in Lometa, Texas . Jerry and Sharon took her to Nevada, Sedona, Branson, and Nashville. For her 80th birthday she and Alice chose to go to Hawaii with Jerry and Sharon. Although she and Alice did not swim they enjoyed the flowers, pineapple fields, ocean waves and hula dancers on the islands of Oahu and Kauai. Before Marvin's death, she and he often went to visit her sister Billie Gene McKenzie in California. In 1989 Odell was selected by Southwest Airlines as their Austin traveler of the year and she was able to fly free with one companion for a year. She made good use of that prize by taking over 30 trips across the country taking friends and family along for the ride. She kept all of her tickets for those trips to California, Nevada, Oklahoma, Arizona, Dallas, Michigan, Houston, and Tennessee.

Odell also enjoyed going to exercise class with Alice McKenzie and her daughter Laura Schneider after she could not continue her daily walks at the mall.

Over the years Odell had many pets that she enjoyed. Her final companion was her dog Chewie who was always by her side and would welcome her home with a friendly bark and a wag of his tail. She loved celebrating her birthdays as you can see in the many pictures taken on her birthday.

As a church Hostess at the House of the Lord she helped the young and the old by providing fresh baked cakes and pies for church socials, family events, or funerals. She greeted and served the congregation at Sunday Services for over 30 years. Odell gave people rides to church or other events when they had no transportation or could not drive. She enjoyed the friendship and companionship of all of the church family at the House of the Lord and could be counted on being at every Sunday Service. She is now in her HEAVEN CHURCH SERVICE where she is enjoying a reunion with all of family and friends who have gone before her.

Odell would like to thank all the friends and family that supported her through the last few years during her illness. She would like everyone to continue to help others and to serve the Lord.

Odell is survived by her three sons and daughter-in-laws, Larry Jones of Austin, Texas, Jerry and Sharon Jones of Allen, Texas, Albert and Debbie Jones of Lewisville, Texas, step-son Larry and Jeannie Anderson of Round Rock, step-daughter-in-law Nancy Anderson of Austin, Texas, brothers and sisters-in-law, Douglas and Mildred McKenzie and Clyde and Alice McKenzie of Austin, Texas and sister Billie
Gene McKenzie of Newport, Oregon. She also leaves behind nine grandchildren, Traci Donaldson, Emily Jones, Gregory Jones, Bradley Jones, Kevin Anderson, Craig Anderson, Kimberly Polknco, Jennifer Cole, and Gregory Kinzer sixteen great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild, and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Saturday, May 26, 2012, at 1:00pm, House of the Lord, 817 W. Howard Lane, Austin, TX followed by service at 2:00pm.