Nola Bush Oden

“I fought a good fight, I’ve finished my course, I’ve kept the faith…” II Timothy 4:7

Mrs. Nola Bush Oden was born January 27, 1932 to the parentage of the late Mr. Grady “Cush” Bush and Mrs. Lula Mae Wallace Bush in Harpersville, Alabama.

Nola, grew up in a loving household as an only child surrounded by cousins who immediately became sisters and brothers.  She accepted Christ into her life at an early age and became a faithful member of Scott’s Grove Baptist Church, Vincent, AL.  She served on the usher board, program and finance committees.  She was a part of Missions at Scott’s Grove, until her health began to fail.

Nola attended and graduated valedictorian from Shelby County Training School.  She also attended Cosmetology School in Birmingham, AL; and worked as a beautician for many years.  She then attended Nunley Technical College and became a certified nursing assistant.  She began her career in this role at Brookwood Medical Center, Birmingham, AL, where she would transition to a unit secretary and retired after twenty-one years of service.  Nola was well loved by her co-workers, and medical staff who quickly became friends and many memories were shared and made. Nola was united in Holy Matrimony to the late Mr. James Marion Oden, Sr. on April 1962. 

Nola traded her cross for a crown on July 3, 2019 at Grandview Medical Center, Birmingham, AL.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Grady and Lula Bush; her son, David Alan Bush; sisters Evelyn “Bubbye” Smith Wallace, and Ruby Wright; brothers, Calvester Smith and Norman Smith.

She leaves to cherish her precious memories, two daughters,  Beverly Oden Johnson, and Andrenette “Angie” Oden both of Harpersville, AL; a caring son, James (Evangeline) M. Oden, Jr. of Chandler, AZ; seven grandchildren, Adria Johnson of Harpersville, AL; Tamara (Derrione) Norwood of Nashville, TN; Lanell (Anna) Oden of South Riding, VA; James M. Oden, III of Dallas, TX; Anisha M. Oden, James M. Oden, IV of Chandler, AZ; and Cornell Bonner of Harpersville, AL; two great-grandchildren, Kieran Jacob Marion Oden of Chandler, AZl and Noelle M. Norwood of Nashville, TN; two God-daughters, Sara (Derry) Foster of Childersburg, AL; and Gwen Thomas of Harpersville, AL; a God– son,  Roderick (Cassandra) Wallace of Harpersville, AL; six sisters, Edna Wallace of Cleveland, OH; Dorothy (Bob) Welch of Detroit, MI; Ruth McClellan of Chicago, IL; Linda Faye Harvey and Gloria (Thomas) Avery both of Detroit, MI; Jerrylyn Kelley of Childersburg, AL; a brother, Henry (Catherine) Smith of Childersburg, AL; two very special sisters, Lois McGraw of Vincent, AL; and Betty Harps of Virginia;  three step children, Carolyn Cohill of Wilsonville, AL; Joyth (Gwen) Chancellor of Pittsburg, PA; and Carol Smith of Georgis; a dear and special son, Dr. Daniel Mirelman;  Nola B. Oden will be missed and cherished by a host of nieces, nephews, friends, co-workers and other relatives.  

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