Mrs. Anna Odessa Clayborne was born May 28, 1923, in Springfield, Ohio and departed this life at the age of 101 on December 11, 2024.  She was the youngest daughter of Boyd and Essie Beavers.  Odessa was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers, Gustavis Beavers, Leroy Beavers, Clarence Beavers, Jessie Beavers, one sister, Gladys Lewis, son Bruce Clayborne, nephew Gustavius Beavers Jr., nephew Terence (Benita) Beavers, adopted daughter Patricia Cunningham and adopted granddaughter Patricia Patty Cunningham.

Mrs. Clayborne accepted Christ at the age of 10 and was baptized in Mount Zion Baptist Church in Springfield.  She was an active member of Mount Zion and was part of Sunday School, Mission, the finance committee and other organizations within the church.  In 2023 she was honored by the National Council of Negro Women for her 100th birthday.

She entered Holy Matrimony with Mr. Cleo D. Clayborne on June 5, 1948. The wedding ceremony was performed by the Reverend W. E. Richardson. They were married for 42 years and to this union, one son, Bruce Dillard Clayborne, was born.

Odessa did clerical work for many years at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and retired in February 1980.

Odessa was always a caring person, helping and sharing with people she met along life's journey.  She served as daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt and grandmother. She was a role model and supporter to many children and adults that came into her life.  She adopted the Cunningham/Burns family as her own and the children became her lifelong grandchildren. Odessa loved her family, taking care of her parents and brothers during their waning years.  She loved to travel. She was always planning group trips for her church, family and friends, across the country and around the world.

She is survived by her nephew, John (Jewel) Beavers of Flower Mound, Texas; great nieces, Kelley Daniels of Detroit, Michigan, Jenelle (Sam) Beavers of Washington D.C. and Jeneen Beavers of Kansas City, Missouri; great nephew, Kristopher (Meghan) Beavers of Royal Oak, Michigan; great-great nieces, Kayla Daniels and Kennedy Daniels of Detroit, Michigan, Avery Halabi and Elise Halabi of Washington D.C., great-great nephew, Dominik Beavers and great-great niece, Aria Beavers of Royal Oak, Michigan; grandchildren, Archie Cunningham Jr. of Springfield, Ohio, Kathryn (James) Sanders of Cincinnati, Ohio and Sachiko Burns of Columbus, Ohio; other relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Clark Memorial Home, 106 Kewbury Road, Springfield, Ohio 45504.

Funeral service will be Tuesday, December 17,  2024 at 11 a.m. in Rose Hill Burial Park Chapel.

Clark Memorial Home
106 Kewbury Road, Springfield OH 45504