Odelle S. Thomas, 87 of La Plata, Maryland.

Obituary

Odelle S. Thomas was born on March 28, 1932 to the late Samuel L. and Emma C. Stephens in Washington D.C.  She departed this life on October 8, 2019 at MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital in Clinton Maryland.   She was baptized at an early age at Miles Memorial Methodist Church in Washington DC. She was educated in D.C. public schools until she graduated early from Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in 1949.

She met her husband Lawrence Thomas while switching past his brother Adrian's gas station (that's what he said) in Washington, DC. On September 23, 1951, Lawrence and Odelle were united in holy matrimony. Out of this union Laurice and Stephanie were born.

Odelle began her federal career with the U.S. State Department, after 30 days she was riffed.  She then accepted a position with the U.S. Census Bureau only to be riffed again for a day.  She was then called back to the Census Bureau, where she ultimately worked as a Statistical Assistant for 39 ½. She retired from the US Census Bureau 1991.

After living the city life, in 1986 Odelle and Lawrence relocated to La Plata, MD.  Once settled, Odelle and Lawrence joined Christ Episcopal Church.   Odelle was a member of the ECW and usher board.  She also volunteered in the food pantry.

Odelle had many hobbies. 'Dell' was an avid reader and really enjoyed gardening. She was also a good video game player.  In order to keep her mind sharp she completed Sudoku and crosswords puzzles daily. Her all-time favorite was gambling (slots, cards, scratch-offs and lottery tickets). She would often take gambling bus trips to Atlantic City, Dover Downs, Midway and Charlestown with family members or by herself.  She was really excited that MGM and Maryland Live were close by.  She would jump in anybody's car that went near the casino. She never hit it big but as she would always say, "I sure had a good time".  Even though, her husband was an avid baseball fan, Odelle enjoyed yelling at her Washington Redskins and Washington Wizards.

Odelle taught all of her grand and great-grands kids 3 things: 1) how to play cards, 2) the one two punch and 3) how to play scratch-off tickets. All of her grand and great-grand kids had a special place in her heart.

Odelle was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence M. Thomas, and sister, Eartha L. Jones. Odelle is survived by two daughters, Laurice M. Thomas-Gilliam and Stephanie D. Bell (Leonard, Sr.); four grandchildren, L'Oreal R. Collins (Michael 'Mikey'), Laurence R. Harrington, Tiffany V. Bell, and Leonard B. Bell Jr.; four great grandchildren, Monye D. Montgomery, Monty D. Montgomery Jr., Lyrik R. Harrington and Lankston R. Harrington; her doggie, Gracie; special niece, Latonia C. Williamson, special nephew, John F. Frederick and Goddaughters, Yvonne C. Johnson, and Maria Milburn. She also leaves a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Viewing, 9:00 a.m. until time of Service, 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, October 16, 2019 at Christ Episcopal Church, 112 Charles Street, La Plata, Maryland 20646.  Interment, Maryland Veteran Cemetery, 11301 Crain Highway, Cheltenham, Maryland 20623.