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1916
2014
ODESSA It was January 19, 1916 that a tiny baby was born to Charles Fredrick Voight, an immigrant from Germany, and his wife, Anna Clara Thiel Voight.
Vada Mae was the last of ten children. She must have been a "preemie" (although that word was not in existence until she was in her forties) as her first cradle was a shoebox, and she was nicknamed "Bitty" because of her small size. It was the days of horse and buggy, Coleman lanterns, outhouses, cisterns. Woodrow Wilson was president and as Vada grew, her life encompassed the Great Depression, WWI and WWII. She had no idea as she gathered wood for the cook-stove that one day she would press a button and have microwaved food. She never thought about traveling to the moon as she plodded in the horse and buggy to her destination. She attended a one room school house through the 7th grade never realizing her grandson would be attending Texas A&M, largest university in Texas. Her life, which began in Floresville, Texas, was a contrast of history and technology. This 98 year old lady has seen a lot. She adapted well as life unfolded and technology encompassed the "old ways." It's hard to imagine adjusting to electricity, an indoor bathroom, and running water that produced hot and cold but, it was a process.
She married Woodson Morris James, June 5, 1946 and had two daughters, Robin Renea and Brenda Gay. Vada and Woody were an older couple when their girls came along, but they knew how to have fun. They would go to the lake every summer in their camper pulled by the old green pickup with the shell on the back where Robin, Gay and their friends rode. Woody built a canoe for the two sisters and did they have fun with that at the lake. As the girls got older, Vada took a job with the school system. Then life changed. Woody suffered a fatal heart attack Gay's senior year. The next 10 years saw Robin marry Donald Ruppanner and Gay marry Alton Rae. Vada retired from the school cafeteria and kept the girls supplied in clothes from her sewing machine, plenty of home cooked meals, and her cookie jar stocked with snickerdoodles.
Vada became "Oma" when Robin and Donald had two sons, James Stuart and Austin. James Stuart lived nine months before he became a little angel in heaven's realm watching over their lives from above. Gay and Alton had Elliot fulfilling Oma's desire for grandsons. But again, life was less than ideal. In September, 1996, Gay and Elliot were killed in an automobile accident. As the years passed, Vada's friends left, one by one, to live in another world leaving her lonely and alone. She lived by herself until last year when her body said, "hey, I'm 97 and although I think I'm young, I just can't keep up," so she moved in, kicking and screaming, with Robin and Donald. There, she celebrated her 98 birthday with acquaintances and family in front of 98 cupcakes with candles which took all of the guests to extinguish.
Her life, filled with triumph and tragedy, has come to an end. The eyes that have watched an ever evolving world are now filled with new wonders for her to behold and a joyous, new place to discover. Her last days were carefully and lovingly watched over by Joan Hunt, Adrienne McGehee, and Melissa with Midland Home Hospice.
Robin and Donald Ruppanner along with Austin and his fiancee, Emily Huffhines, Vernon Richards, Bethany Joy Sirmon, and her cousins and friends are waving goodbye from this shore.
Her celebration service will be Saturday, April, 12, 2014 at 4:00 PM at First United Pentecostal Church.
Interment is Monday, April 14, 2014 at 10:00 AM at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Those who have gone before-her friends, her siblings, her husband, her daughter, her grandsons-are waving to her from the other shore. Welcome home, Vada. Tell everyone hello.
Services are entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by The ODESSA AMERICAN.
Sis. James I will always remember your kind and sweet smile and the Angels are there to welcome you home.Sis Robin we must Hold on to God and run the race with patience as your mom did.Maybe it won't be very long until we will be home.
Love Vera Cupp
vera Cupp
April 12, 2014
I didn't know Mrs James, but the obituary was really interesting. She has lived through so much in her lifetime & seen so many changes throughout her life. Cherish the memories you have with her.She seemed to have such an interesting life.
Karen Mantooth
April 12, 2014
What a legend! Love love your sweet mamma. Last time we saw her she was asked do you know who this is... Took her a moment, but she knew. She would just hang on to you and love you. She lives on... In our wonderful memories. Hugs and prayers during this time. Love yal
Sheila Yee
April 12, 2014
Robin, a beautiful tribute/obituary of your mom! I knew her in the early 60's when I was in the Monahans church, and she was a precious person then. A true christian lady! May The Lord comfort you and the family.
Cynthia Purcell
April 12, 2014
After my mother passed & all my family was heartbroken, a little 5 year old great niece out of the blue told her mother not to be sad about AuntB because she was with Big Mama & the whole family, and they were having a big dinner and were laughing and having a fun time....wellll, that's how I imagine Sister James now, with Brother James, Gay, and all her family & friends that went before her...She's with her Beloved Lord now, and we all will miss her so...she made an impact on many many lives.
Big Hugs to you all!!
Peggy Richards
April 12, 2014
Sis Robin, I am so sorry for your loss. I am praying for you and your family. I will truly miss Sister James. I will never for get her kindness and all the talks we had before Church. She was really a very special and loving person. Joni Leadingham
Joni Leadingham
April 12, 2014
Donald and Robin, I am so sorry you have lost another loved one! Your mom has always been a loving friend to me. May God comfort you is my prayer... Love you so much!!!
Priscilla Smith
April 12, 2014
Robin, Donald, and Austin.... what a lady Oma was. We loved her very much. Dennis was just saying earlier how she would grab hold of your hand and not let go when she was talking to you. She always made us feel like we were super special to her. I loved our hugs and that smile of hers, could light up the room. Our love and prayers are surrounding you all as you face this difficult time of saying goodbye.
Dennis and Theda & Britain Green
April 11, 2014
Sis. Robin I am praying for you and your family. Sister James was a wonderful woman. Many times we would sit and talk at the church. She always had a hug ready for me. I always felt like I could talk to her about anything, she was always ready to listen and tell me what she thought. May the Lord be with your family through this difficult time.
Barbara Holdeman
April 11, 2014
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