Odessa D. Hayes departed this life on Thursday, March 5, 2026. She was born on July 28, 1930, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Odessa was the first child of Benjamin and Charity Delaine. She had three sisters and four brothers.

Odessa resided in Lawnside, New Jersey, until she left for college to attend Central State College in Wilberforce, Ohio. She was involved in a club that assisted in bettering student life on campus, called Big Chums, from her freshman year through her senior year. Odessa graduated Cum Laude, with her bachelor's degree in science in Education on June 9th, 1954.

Odessa obtained her first teaching job with the Camden Board of Education in September 1954. During her years teaching, she served as chair of the Governor's Teaching Scholars Program selection committee, participated in numerous symposiums, and received numerous awards, including the Governor's Award for outstanding teaching. Odessa continued teaching first grade with the Camden Board of Education until she retired in June 1993. Following her retirement, she dedicated six years to volunteering as a reading partner at Hamilton Township Public School and provided support to the Atlantic County Board of Elections during elections held at the Weymouth Fire Hall.

Odessa met and married Reverend Thomas Hayes on June 9, 1956. From their union, they had two children. Thomas (Butch) and Denise (Necy). They resided in Lawnside, New Jersey, until Thomas built their home in Mays Landing, New Jersey.

Odessa was a devoted wife and served as first lady in numerous churches throughout New Jersey, including Cape May, Mays Landing, Cinnaminson, Mt. Holly, Hightstown, and Pennsauken. Odessa and Thomas were married for 20 years.

After her husband's death, Odessa became a member of St. James AME Church in 1976. Odessa loved the Lord and always wanted to do His will. She absolutely loved her church, and the church members were her family. Through the years she served in the steward ministry, was a class leader, choir member, church treasurer, on the Christian education commission, a delegate to the NJ Annual Conference, and a Sunday school teacher. The teacher in her would not let her stop teaching, and she continued as a Sunday School Teacher up until she was recently hospitalized.

Odessa enjoyed being with her family and friends, loved cheeseburgers, and reading her Bible. She liked to travel, attend her grandkids' sporting events, and loved watching and cheering for the Philadelphia Eagles. Whenever we told her to "be good," she would say, "What else am I going to do?" She would also say "Thank-you is your payment until I can do better." One of her favorite Bible verses was "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path. Proverbs 3:5."

Odessa was preceded in death by her parents, Benjamin and Charity Delaine, her husband Rev. Thomas Hayes, her sister, Marge Davis, and her brothers, Pete Delaine, Arnold Delaine and Ben Delaine.

She leaves to cherish her memory her son and daughter in law, Thomas and Monique Hayes, her daughter and son in law, Denise and Lawrence Smith, her grandchildren, Brea Smith, Janay Smith, LJ and his wife Clarissa Smith, and Dominque Hayes; her siblings, Bendelon Sewell, Yvonne and her husband Leroy Vermillo and Chantio and his wife Betty Delaine; her caregivers, Natasha Vicente, Herma Gibbons, Ria Mitchell, Donna Forbes and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends and her St. James family.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, March 14, 2026, 11:00 am in St. James AME Church 6847 Millville Road, Mays Landing, NJ 08081, where a viewing will be held from 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM. Burial will follow in Greenmount Cemetery, 124 S. First Road, Hammonton, NJ 080378

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to St. James AME Church.