Odelia Mattie “Gant” Jacobs, was born on August 15, 1926 in Arlington, Virginia to the late Wildred and Bernice Gant of South 24th Street. Odelia “Mamma” was known to many as Grandma, Granny, Aunt Dee, Lil Dee, Dellie and most of all “Our Queen” received her wings and entered the pearly gates with her heavenly Father on Thursday, May 18, 2017 at 9:42pm as she spent her last few days at The Hospice of Chesapeake in Pasadena, Maryland. Prior to her short stay in hospice, she resided with her daughter, her “baby” as she would often say to others, Lisa in Upper Marlboro Maryland for several months. Although this was a big change for her, she became custom to it and started sitting on the front porch as she would in Arlington, as she got a kick out of watching “Lexxie” the house pet run up and down the sidewalk.
Dellie was the youngest of seven siblings, four brothers and one sister. She was preceded in death by brothers, Wildred “Gable”, Thomas “Bat”, Joseph “Joe”, Walter and her one and only sister Mamie “Aunt Mamie” Cannon whom she LOVED dearly. She attended the old Kemper Elementary School and later attending Francis Scott Key School in the District of Columbia. She was Baptized at a very young age at Lomax A.M.E Zion Church where she was a member of the Lomax Gospel Chorus under the direction of Mrs. Juanita Boger and later by Rev. Willie Duvall. She was also a member of the Brothers in Harmony choir. She loved singing and worshipping and praising his holy name as the choirs traveled to various states uplifting the lords name in song. Mother retired from her position in retail at the Hecht’s Company in Parkington (noe Ballston Commons) after being employed for many many years… but for those who knew her, knew that her real and most important job was her “Work” better known as BINGO at the Wysons Corner!
Our Queen also had a love for sports. She loved All SPORTS especially softball (baseball) and football. She was not bias by no means necessary except when it came to her Washington Redskins. She had so much love for softball that she played on her team up until she gave birth to her last born.
Odelia was married to the late Oscar Jacobs who she preceded in death. She leaves to cherish her memories, five beautiful children; Duane (Barbara), Marcellus “Brother” (Cherene), Marsha Pressly (Standford - deceased), Laverne and Lisa Gant; a blended family of six; Ernest, Walter, Antone, Anthony and Vernie; one brother, Elmer “Blink” Gant; one sister-in-law, Lillie Mae Gant; ten grandkids, Duan, Tanya, Cleon, Deon, Octuan, Notsha, Le’Juon, E’Lon, and Kayla Gant; one devoted grand-daughter that assisted in her care, Shena Gant; twenty-six greatgrand kids and three great-greatgrand kids; one god-daughter Ingrid Gant and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. She also leaves to cherish her best friend Ann Barber and a host of Bingo sister/friends as well as the neighborhood/village she helped rear.

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