Odessa Risner, age 83, of Hot Springs, formerly of Glenwood, peacefully entered the presence of her Lord and Savior on Sunday, October 2, 2016, surrounded by all of her 5 children.
Odessa was born on July 22, 1933, in Pike County, Arkansas, not far from Athens, to Estell Mae Golden Ralls and Oscar J. Ralls.
She is a survivor of a rare winter tornado that tore through the Athens-Langley communities in 1942 when she was 8 years old, huddled under the floor in the root cellar with the rest of her family as the house above was destroyed. She attended Langley schools, got married, and raised a family.
She worked at many of the cafés in the area in the 1960’s and 70’s, starting with the Red Ball Café in the early 1960’s helping Mom Sorrells. Later, she operated the Snack Bar Café, the Dairy Burger, in Glenwood and the Hilltop Café in Amity. Home cookin’ was her specialty.
Odessa never met a stranger and was known for her friendliness, quick wit, and a desire to put a smile on the face of anyone who needed a kind word. She loved being outside, raising gardens, and never saw a dew berry patch she didn’t want to get into. In her life, nothing was more important to her than her children, to whom she leaves a legacy of unconditional love and much laughter. She was a member of the Glenwood Church of Christ.
She is survived by her children, Gary Risner and wife, Charlotte, of Hot Springs Village, Larry Risner and wife, Lynne, of Hot Springs, Helene Grant and hus- band, Nathan, of Batesville, Marty Risner and wife, Cindy, of East End and Glenda Kassaw-Davis and husband, Chris, of Hot Springs; nine grandchildren; ve great-grandchildren; and her brother, J. W. Ralls of Mena.
Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, October 6, 2016, in the Davis-Smith Funeral Home Chapel, Glenwood, with John Hall officiating.
Visitation will be Wednesday, 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., at the funeral home.
Interment will be in Athens Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Jeff Risner, Jason Risner, Rebecca Grant, Bryce Grant, Ashleigh West and Stacey Ralls.
Honorary pallbearers will be Lucas Risner, Angelia Simonton, Amanda Grant-Dooley, Allison Risner, Fina Ralls, Chris Bates, Tommy Bates and the nurses and staffs of Garland Nursing and Rehab Center and Arkansas Hospice.
Guest registry is at www.davis-smith.com.
