Oddyssey Neváeh Banks

Oddyssey Neváeh Banks, 8, of Jefferson City, took her seat next to her heavenly Father on Thursday, March 15, 2012, in St. Louis. She was born June 18, 2003, in St. Louis, the daughter of Donell and Catherine Banks. Oddyssey was in the third grade at South Elementary School. She attended Central United Church of Christ, where she was active in the young youth program. She was a diva and proud of it, and she enjoyed playing tricks on those around her. Oddyssey was diagnosed with Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) at three months of age and had open heart surgery when she was two. Through her struggles she always remained smiling. She had a heart of gold and her joy, laughter, and spirit lives on in each of us. At the age of five, Oddyssey and her brother raised $241 at East Elementary in the "Jump for your Heart" fundraiser for the American Heart Assn. At age six, she accepted Christ into her life at Central Baptist Church. She is survived by her parents; brother, Eric Hill, and sister T·Corya Watson, of the home; grandmothers, Ruth Banks, Diana Davis, and Marilyn Simms; grandfathers, Walter Davis (Papa), Calvin Shegog, and Ray May; great-grandmothers, Lil Granny, Grandma Dorothy, and Grandma Magg; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. She was preceded in death by her great-grandfathers, Alex "Top Cat" Willis and Willie "PeeWee" Banks; and an uncle, Dwight "Lock Jaw" Penny Jr. A memorial service for Oddyssey will be held Wednesday, March 28, at 4:30 p.m. at Central United Church of Christ with the Rev. Stephen Buchholz officiating. Funeral services were Thursday, March 22, in St. Louis with the Rev. John E. Clark officiating, with burial in Laurel Hill Cemetery.