Service Details
A celebration of Erma’s life and homegoing will be held on Thursday, April 1, 2021, 11:00 am, at Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home and Crematory, 4600 County Line Road. Visitation will be from 9:00am until the time of the service. Burial will follow at Graceland Cemetery.
The service will be available for live streaming on Thursday at the following link:
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Racine – Erma Jean Odems, age 66, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family, on Tuesday, March 23, 2021. Erma was born in Hazen, Arkansas, on August 15, 1954 to Harrison Odems and Erma Lee Hathaway. Erma Jean and her mother moved to Racine when Erma was an infant. She began her childhood on the northside of Racine where she formed many relationships and became the big sister, protector, and mentor of many of her friends and peers.
At age 18, she decided to head to Job Corps to get her diploma which she later received in an adult GED program. Erma was an entrepreneur at 39 years old, opening her very own daycare which she named after her late mother, “Bigma’s Daycare”. Erma enjoyed taking care of her mother, Erma Lee Knox, and the elderly. She was a licensed Certified Nursing Assistant for over 30 years, serving others in that way until the day she died. She loved pool, darts, cooking, and dancing, dancing, dancing. She truly enjoyed every second of her life.
Surviving are her three children, Leewauna (Jesse) Epps and Martise Odems, of Racine, and Chartrice (Charles) Pearson-Gates of Georgia; her siblings, Abbot (Jeanette) Griffin, Leetha Griffin, Lawrence Griffin, Cornelius “Neal” Griffin, and Caroline Griffin; her grandchildren, Ashley, Takoya, Terri, Antanisha, Cier, and Ermeesha; seven great-grandchildren; her godchildren, Brandon, Renault, and Davion; special friends, William Lewis, Dorthey Williams, Barbara Brown, Martha Goss, Peggy Price, Debbie Jones, Audrey Swoops and Shirley Bell; a host of nieces and nephews, including special niece and nephew, Tequana Sanders and Dennis Griffin.
Preceding Erma in death were her Mother and Father, Erma Lee Knox and Harrison Odems; brothers, Calvin and Floyd Griffin; sister, Rosetta Griffin; cousin, Gwen Hall; and niece and nephew, Yolanda and Brian Golden.
A celebration of Erma’s life and homegoing will be held on Thursday, April 1, 2021, 11:00am, at Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home and Crematory, 4600 County Line Road. Visitation will be from 9:00am until the time of the service. Burial will follow at Graceland Cemetery.
Tonya L. Gates says
The Griffin Family Has my Prayers She Just Lost her Mom!
Linda Ivy says
Mr & Mrs Bird Ivy, would like to send our deepest condolences to you and your family, I know Bird is gonna miss her up at Bucks getting on his butt . They was always going at it, it was nothing but Love, We wi continue to pray for you Leewauna
Anonymous says
Marcia Collier and Family is sending our heartfelt condolences to Erma’s family. We use to work together years ago. She was a fun coworker. Hold on Lewanda, god got you .
Ramona Drane says
My condolences to the Family
Tracy and Snoop Oliver says
So sorry for the pain your family is dealing with at this time. Our deepest sympathy and prayers go out to you all. To Leewauna, it was such a pleasure to know your mom, she was a fun loving and kind woman. My best memory is when Snoop would walk up to her and make the sound a hula hoop makes and they would just crack up together. Love, hugs and kisses to you.
Valencia Tucker says
To the family of our mother sister aunt friend my Condolences I will miss my sister. Rest on big sister love you but god loved you best . Always with Love.
Mrs. Pearl Foots and family says
Our deepest condolences to your family and praying for comfort!
Helen Everett says
My condolences to the family. I’ll miss my friend dearly.
The Cotton family says
To the family of Erma Jean condolences from the Cotton family. May Gid be with you in tears trying times.
Wilma Hayes says
My prayers and condolences to the family.She will missed Rih.
Marilyn Williams Pearson and family says
My heart hurts so bad still in disbelief sending my condolences to her kids grandkids and friends you will always have a spot in my heart rest on twin rest on
Cherry &Linda Campbell(kenosha) says
Condolences and prayers to the family of sister Erma jean💔🙏🙏🙏
Therita Bogan says
The family have my deepest sympathy,l, we use to work together it was delightful to work with Erma
Stacey Moore & Family says
Condolences to the family
Ted & Jo Carol Harris says
Erma Jean was a Beautiful person until the End. RIP My Sister. Heart felt Condolences to the Family. 🕊
Dorothy M Bizzle an Family says
So sorry for your loss praying for strength and healing in loss of your love one
Anonymous says
My condolences and sympathy goes out to her family. She was a beautiful person, inside amd out. We held the same birthday and same attitude. We would joke around, she had a great sense of humor. May you rest in paradise..betty boo..love you 💋
Dorothy (Dot) Jones says
My thoughts and Prayers goes out to the Griffin family!!
Anonymous says
Condolence to Irma Jean life long friend that kept us with a laugh as long as I knew her she will be missed, May God heal the family.. Ilena Cobb and Denise McWhorter😇
LaQuita Johnson says
My condolences to the family sending prayers my to the family
Rena Days says
Yous the Only One! Miss you. Love you. May God keep you in His Love………. Rena Days
Da Butt Da Butt I know you keeping them laughing in Heaven!
Patricia Davis says
My thoughts and prayers are with your family. Erma was a great person and always a pleasure to be around! Pat Davis
Anonymous says
The Adams family send their most deepest sympathies to the family. Erma Jean and my mother Linda Adams was friends since I was a child and I could remember them both getting dressed to go out and party. Erma Jean loved to dress and dance.
You will be greatly missed.
Leewauna we love you.
Shalanna Shaw says
Shalanna Shaw and the Shaw family has your family in our thoughts and prayers
Telveda McNeil says
To the Family,
My Condolences and prayers are with you in your time of need.
The McNeil Family
Demeterius Powell says
My condolences to the family Duck may your mother vm,RI,P
Paula Boykin and Family says
Sincere condolences to the family may God strengthen you all in your time of need . I will always remember Erma Jean when I fry a turkey lol she always wanted the dute 😄 . RIP my friend
Cherel Goodwin says
To Leewauna and family, you’re in my heart and prayers.
Robin Hooks - Hunter says
To the Family and Friends of Emma Jean my heart felt condolences to each of you at this most difficult time. Love each of you and my prayer will continue being that you just lost your grand mother. God strength
The Berryhill's says
Sorry for the lost love always the Berryhill family.
Asewanetta Bonner & Maurice Davis says
Sorry about your lost, may God continue to keep you and the family covered, love yall always! Praying for you all!
Diane Love & Family says
Sending healing prayers and comforting hugs
Joyce Denton says
My sincere condolences and prayers are for the family and friends💐
Yvonne Davidson says
Lewaunna and family y’all have my deepest condolences in the passing of your mother, my god sister. I’m gonna miss Erma jean, I’m so glad I came by to visit her before she left to be with God. It’s not gonna be the same here without her. I just can’t believe that she is gone. Rest in Heaven my God sister.
Annie mclemore says
My condolences to the family Erma will be missed
MeShawn Gardner says
My condolences and prayers goes out to the family
Conway grandy says
Prayers and condolences. Rest in heaven
Leewauna Epps says
I LOVE U MAMA 😢💔GOD B WITH ME
Walinda Riley & family says
Erma Jean you will be missed by all. I remember us working together I will never forget I had to come and get you for help and the situation had us both in stitches. Rest in heaven your work is done on this side. My prayers to the family .
Chartrice "Duck" Pearson-Gates says
Miss you so much momma! I will mourn you until I join you. Thanks to everyone for your well wishes & condolences. Love.
Debra Malone says
Luana sorry to hear about your mom’s passing and may God keep blessing you and your family love you
Willie McDonald says
My prayers are with you . God Bless.
Maggie Cobb says
Condolence to the family may God give you comfort and strength during this difficult time .
Linda Joyce Chambliss.+ family. says
Going to miss you old friend..R.I.H.P TILL WE MEET AGAIN…
Emma odems says
I’m sorry for your lost
LaHyrah Venzant says
Auntie I just want you to know you will be truly missed on this side of Heaven I will continue to make them Oxtail and continue to do your favorite dance I Love your girl Tootie.
SHANDA SMITH says
My deepest condolences to Lewaunna and family on the passing of their mom Erma Jean who was a delight to know and brought sunshine and fun to everyone she met and everyplace she went. RIP MY BEAUTIFUL QUEEN AUNTIE LOVE YOU 😘 💔🥰❤️🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
Audrey Davidson says
Audrey Davidson 708 east 151 street east Chicago ind 46312
Saleena Bland says
CL and Sherry Bland Sorry for your lost the Blands on 10th street
rolanda barry says
sending my condolences to the entire family.
Tywla Clark says
So very sorry for the loss of Erma Jean (E
CARMEN PHILLIPS🙏❤ says
RIH YOU WILL BE TRULY MISSED😪🙏❤LOVE ALWAYS CARMEN AND FAMILY😪
CARMEN AND FAMILY says
RIH LOVE YALL ❤😪🙏. MS.E YOU WILL BE TRULY MISSED❤
Brenda Ward says
Ante im so sorry couldnt make to see u take off with your Beautiful Wings, Love u until we meet again
Ward Family says
My condolences to the Fanily , Ante was a Beautiful lady, Praying for all yall.
The Cotton family says
To the family of Erma, our condolences from the Cotton family.
Crystal Bizzle says
Sending my condolences to the family, this one hits hard. Love y’all stay strong family. The Bizzle Family
Meesha Ore says
I’m gonna miss my best friend 🥺💔 please pray for my family 🙏🏾
reona ball says
I’m sorry for your loss 😔
Anonymous says
Marilyn Booker
Karen Golden from Tennessee says
Sending nothing but love to the families of Erma . So sorry for y’all loss 🙏💜
Brenda Allen says
My deepest condolences to the family , my heart goes out to you all , may you find comfort in your faith in the lord Christ Jesus. Remembering he rose from the dead, leaving that hope for us also .