Odessa Jane Brandon Hardin was born on July 17, 1944, in Bridgeport, Connecticut to the late Willis Brandon, Sr. and Leona Campbell Brandon. She departed this life on Saturday, May 21, 2022, at Robin Johnson Hospice House in Dallas, North Carolina. Odessa was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She loved her family with her whole heart. Everyone treasured her smile and sweet spirit. She was educated in the Gaston County school system, graduating from Highland High School. She retired from Bali, Sara Lee Intimates, in October 1999. At an early age, she joined Friendship Baptist Church in Gastonia, NC where she faithfully attended for over fifty years. She later joined Ephesus Seventh-Day Adventist Church. At Ephesus SDA, she was an ordained Deaconess, usher, Vacation, and Sabbath School teacher. Until her health declined, Odessa devotedly cleaned the church every week. She prided herself in the church looking its best. When she was not at church, Odessa was studying the Bible and growing her relationship with the Lord. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Lucius Brandon and Willis Brandon, Jr.; one sister, Shirley Brandon; one brother-in-law, Robert Hardin; and two sisters-in-law, Hattie Hardin Burris and Evelyn Degree. She leaves to cherish fond memories of her: husband, Roger R. Hardin Jr., daughter, Tanya Stewart, and sons-in-love, Tracy Forte’, Corey Anderson, and Anthony Anderson. Grandchildren: Michaela Forte’, Kendall Forte’, Apparicious Anderson, Christian Anderson, Donyea Anderson, and Jazmine Anderson. Sisters: Phyllis Brandon Spell, Stratford, CT, Donna Brandon, New Haven, CT, and Leona Brandon-Davis, Beacon Falls, CT, Vera Hardin Holmes (Walter), Davidson, NC, Marie Hardin Kendrick, Gastonia, NC, and Lola Hardin Adams, Gastonia NC. Brother: Tony Hardin (Pandora), Gastonia, NC. God Children: Faye Bell, Gitara Robbins, Cameron Brown, and Eden Barnes and a host of other relatives and friends.

Memorial service will be held on Thursday; 6:00 p.m. at Ephesus Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 4159 Titman Rd. Gastonia, NC 28056