Vernon Russel Oates                 

    JUNE 9, 2006

Odessa Vernon Russel Oates, 86, passed away on friday, June 9, 2006, 8:30 pm, at Medical Center Hospital. He was born September 17, 1919, in Star City, Arkansas to Sam and Bessie (Whisenhunt) Oates. He married Hattie Marie Marison on May 7, 1953, in Eagle Lake, Texas. He has been a faithful and devoted husband for 53 years. During their early years, they traveled over much of the United States following the pipeline. In 1956, they made Odessa their home base. He was in great demand as a skilled backhoe operator in the oil field and worked well into his ’70s. Vernon was a dedicated Christian and a member of First Church of the Nazarene in Odessa. He served as bus minister for many years and was sincerely loved by children and their families. He was a sweet man who cared deeply for other people.
He is survived by his wife, Hattie Marie Oates, and countless brothers and sisters in Christ.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, June 13, 2006, at First Church of the Nazarene with Rev. Terry Pierce officiating, assisted by Rev. Barry Reiswig.
Pallbearers: Melvin Hale, Travis Dunn, Ben McFarlin, Don Lang, Chuck Ellison, Paul Johnson and Terry G. Pierce.
Arrangements were under the direction of Sunset Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home.

November 28, 2007

ODESSA Hattie Marie Oates slipped from this earth into Heaven just after sunrise on Wednesday, November 28, 2007. She was surrounded by the loving servants at Seabury Nursing Home. She was 91 years old.

Marie was born August 11, 1916, at Goose Creek, Kentucky. She was one of seven daughters born to her parents Loren and Laura Marison. She is preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband, Vernon, and six sisters.
Marie married Vernon Oates in 1951 and together they followed the oil pipeline until 1956 when they settled in Odessa. They adored each other, and Marie found her greatest worth and joy in being Vernon's wife. They were always together, and now, they are reunited for eternity.
Marie was a devoted Christian and faithful member of First Church of the Nazarene. Having no children of her own, she assisted Vernon in church bus ministry and poured her life into countless children and families. The church truly became "family" to her. She will be missed by her nephews and nieces and many friends.

Graveside services will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, November 30, 2007, at Sunset Memorial Gardens with Rev. Terry Pierce and Rev. Barry Reiswig officiating.

Arrangements are under the direction of Sunset Memorial Funeral Home.