In memory of

Odessa "Dessa" Jane Martin

Kernersville, NC

December 15, 1957 - October 9, 2025

Dec 15, 1957 - Oct 9, 2025

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In memory of

Odessa "Dessa" Jane Martin

Passed

October 9, 2025
Born

December 15, 1957
Resided

Kernersville, NC

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Please consider a donation to Support with Funeral Costs.

$1,880.00

of $5,000 goal

37 %

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How you can help

Your donations will go directly toward helping our family cover the funeral and memorial service expenses for my mom, Odessa — lovingly known as Dessa. This support will allow us to give her the meaningful, music-filled farewell she deserves, while easing the financial strain on her husband/my dad Bruce and me during this incredibly difficult time. I created this fundraiser to honor my mom’s life and legacy. She was a strong, proud woman with a huge heart — someone who loved people, music, and her community. She was active in her church, the Shepherd’s Center, and was always the kind of person who could strike up a conversation anywhere she went.

She bravely battled throat cancer, but the illness spread more quickly than any of us expected. While we knew this time would eventually come, the loss still came much too soon. Between my dad being out of work and my own financial challenges while taking time off, we simply need a little extra help to give her the farewell she deserves. All funds will be used to cover funeral home and burial costs, the memorial service, and related expenses. Any remaining funds will help cover short-term living expenses while my dad and I navigate this transition and handle final arrangements.

Dessa was a creative soul — she played the flute, piccolo, and even picked up the ukulele later in life. She loved knitting, music, and learning new things. She passed down to me her creativity, her curiosity, and her love for music and learning (she took me to the library constantly as a kid).

She taught me resilience and how to stand strong — but also that it’s okay to ask for help when you need it. If you’re able to contribute or share this fundraiser, please know how deeply our family appreciates it. Every bit of support helps, and every kind word brings us comfort. Contribute