Evangelist Odessa Marie Brown McGhee was born in Fort Pierce, Florida on May 23, 1945. She graduated from Lincoln Park High School in Clermont, Florida in 1963, and furthered her education at Hampton Junior College in Ocala, Florida obtaining an Associate of Arts Degree.

Odessa married Sam McGhee and moved to Lansing, Michigan in 1966. From that union two children were born, James R. McGhee and Lori A. McGhee (Walker).

Being ambitious, she attended Lansing Community College and became a licensed Realtor by the State of Michigan (15 years). During that time, she attended Michigan State University, took classes in Sociology and was employed by Community Mental Health and retired after 27 years of service.

Odessa accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior in 1972 and joined Lansing Church of God in Christ, presently under the leadership of Bishop Samuel Duncan Jr. In 1980, she acknowledged the call to ministry and became a licensed Evangelist Missionary in 1986.

Over the years, she wore many hats in the church's Ministry. She started her service by joining the Usher Board, after several years she saw the need to involve the youth in service and instituted and established the Junior Usher Board at the Wise Road location. She also served on the Trustee Board, Executive Board, and Director of the Drama Department, as well as President of the Missionary Circle, Sunday School Teacher, Care Ministry, Teacher of the first Aspiring Missionary Class in 2002, and was a member of the 1st Lady Dorothy Duncan, Administrative Board.

She was Co-Founder of End Time Harvest Ministries, established in 2011, located in Clermont, Florida. She was an accomplished playwright and holds copyrights to eighteen plays. She acknowledged without Christ none of her accomplishments would have been possible.

She went to be with the Lord on February 10, 2016. Odessa was preceded in death by; her parents, John and Susanna Brown; brothers, James Brown, David Brown, Willie Brown, and Albert Brown; sister, Francine Lawson.

She leaves to cherish her memory: two children, James R. (Kayla) McGhee and Lori A. (Arthur) Walker, nine grandchildren, Dominique (PaQuita) McGhee, Darius McGhee, Eboni McGhee, Minister Joy (Elder Dreu Pitts) McGhee-Pitts and their mother, Elder Vonda Bolden; plus Corey Walker, Jordyn Walker, Kyle Walker, Kenya Bell and Karina Bell; five great-grandchildren, Robert McGhee, Chanel McGhee, Daijha Pitts, Dreu Pitts Jr. and Kingston Morgan; four sisters, Evelyn Washington, Evangelist Alberta Walker, Evangelist Deloris (Sherman) Isom and Evangelist Susanna Miller; two brothers, John (Tracey) Brown, and Dr. Tommy L. (Deloris) Brown; and a host of special nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.

Odessa was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, friend and faithful servant to the Lord. She was a woman with wisdom who carried herself with a humble and quiet grace, yet her presence was powerful.

Her favorite scripture was:

Ms. McGhee will lie in repose Friday, February 19th, 3-7pm at Riley Funeral home, 426 W. St. Joseph Street, Lansing, Michigan, with the family will receive friends from 6-7pm.  Funeral service will be held Saturday, February 20th, 10:30am at Lansing Church of God In Christ, 5304 Wise Rd, Lansing, M ichigan.  Memories and condolences may be shared at www.rileyfuneralhome.com .