Lillian Deaver

Mrs. Lillian Beatrice Lynn Deaver, a long time resident of Odessa departed this life on Sunday, January 22, 2012. She was born March 16, 1926 to Rev. John Calvin and Mrs. Irene Estelle Burch Lynn in High Bank, Texas.

The sixth child of her parents, she attended public school in Marlin, Texas, where she graduated from Booker T. Washington High School. She was the Drum Major of the Washington Wild Cat Band. She received her Bachelor and Masters Degrees from Prairie View A M University, Prairie View, Texas. She did advanced studies at the University of Texas at El Paso Modern math at University of Texas at Austin General studies at Texas Southern University, Houston courses at Odessa College, Odessa.

Mrs. Deaver taught several years in Stamford, Texas. She taught Home Economics for five years at Hardin High School in Brownwood. She later moved to Odessa where she was employed by Ector County Independent Schools. She taught the second grade for thirtytwo years.

In 1953, Lillian and Fred Douglas Deaver were married tin Brownwood. Their union lasted fortyseven years. They were the proud parents of two daughters: Mrs. Debra Byrd and Dr. Tara Deaver. During their marriage, they traveled in fortysix of the fifty states including Hawaii and Alaska. They also traveled in Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy, Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean.

She was a member of the Odessa Social Civic and Art Club where she served as President, First Vice President and trustee to the Executive Board at Camp McMullen for the Stokes Parker District. On the state level, she served as Chairperson of the Executive Board of Camp McMullen. Lillian was the past matron of the Pride of Odessa Chapter of the Heroines of Jericho. She was a Golden Life member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She served as parliamentarian and Leader for the Minerva Circle for the Odessa Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She was a charter member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church where she served as Chairperson of the Deaconesses and teacher for the beginners Sunday School Class.

Her awards included recognition as the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Woman of the Year and the Alpha Phi Alpha state level Yellow Rose of Texas. She was also awarded the To Honor Your Career in Teaching from Harden High School in Brownwood and Black Pioneer of Odessa, Texas from Gertrude Bruce Cultural Association.

She leaves to cherish her memories two daughters: Debra Irene Byrd Lennerd and Dr. Tara Yvette Deaver fianc Richard, Odessa two grandchildren, Dr. Jaron Byrd, Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and Tamara Byrd Davault Gregory Ryan, Houston one sister, Ernestine Lynn Evans of Marlin two sisterinlaws Bernice Deaver, Odessa, Emma Glen, Ontario, California and one brotherinlaw Lonnie Lucas, Odessa and a host of devoted nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Visitation with the family will be 68 PM Thursday, January 26, 2012 at Sunset Funeral Home. Services will be held at 11:00 AM Friday, January 27, 2012 at Sunset Funeral Home Chapel with Roy Gentry officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery.

Visitation

Sunset Memorial Funeral Home
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762
Thursday, January 26, 2012
68 PM

Service

Funeral Service

Sunset Memorial Chapel
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762
Friday, January 27, 2012
11:00 AM

Cemetery

Rose Hill Cemetery
Tulia, TX  79761