Marcia Elizabeth Archer Oden

It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Marcia Oden on October 10, 2023.

Marcia is survived by her devoted husband, Harold; their three children, Greg Oden (Beverly), Chris Oden, and Angela Dobbins (Steve); and her five beloved grandchildren, Anna, Gregory, Preston, Will, and Josh. She is also survived by her sisters, Glo Green and Jimmie Timbes, numerous nieces and nephews, and many other family members and dear friends.

Marcia was born to Jim and Erma Archer on January 3, 1944, in Houston, MS. She graduated from Booneville High School, where she was a cheerleader and her future husband was captain of the basketball team. She received her BA in English from Harding University, a private Church of Christ school in Arkansas.

Marcia married her high school sweetheart in 1965 and later completed her Masters of Secondary Education in English Literature from Mississippi College. After staying home to raise her children, she taught English at several schools, ending her career at Northwest Rankin Attendance Center, where she was a member of the original faculty and retired after almost 30 years of highly successful teaching. She was the head of the Northwest Rankin Middle School English department, named Teacher of the Year and Star Teacher, and with her good teacher friend Christy Jones co-authored the Middle School English Language Arts program used throughout the Rankin County School District. For twenty years, she sponsored the NWR MS Academic Team, which won the Rankin County competition repeatedly and was also highly successful at the state Jr. Beta Club Convention. Past students rarely forgot Mrs. Oden and often commented that she had been their favorite (and hardest) teacher.  Her principals also frequently sought her advice and counsel.

Marcia was highly social and loved to host parties, especially tea parties. She was involved in many volunteer activities, mainly through her church, and multiple friends remember her showing up in their times of need with words of wisdom and comfort and many times an Italian crème cake. Marcia also greatly enjoyed traveling with her husband as well as her good friend, Linda Crotwell.

Marcia loved to laugh, have fun, and play practical jokes on her friends and family. She was also highly competitive in cards and board games. Marcia loved writing and was a master at teaching her students to communicate in speech and composition. She also greatly enjoyed reading and helped establish a very active teachers' book club when she retired from teaching.

Although Marcia enjoyed helping her students excel, she was even more proud of her three children and five grandchildren and loved to share stories of their many achievements. She was also very proud of her hard-working husband and greatly appreciated sharing their blessed life.

Marcia's intense faith influenced every aspect of her life, and she will be so happy to see her parents again in heaven.

Well done thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things; I will set thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord. -Matthew 25:23

Visitation is scheduled for 11:00 am on Thursday, October 12, 2023 at Lake Harbour Church of Christ. The funeral will begin at 1:00 pm.  John Pigg will officiate.  All are welcome to attend and celebrate Marcia's life.  The family would like to thank all family and friends for the love and support shown to them during this time.  Burial services will be at Showdown Church of Christ on Friday, October 13, 2023.

Flowers can be sent to Lake Harbour Church of Christ, 338 Lake Harbour, Ridgeland, MS  39157.  Donations can be sent to a charity of your choosing.