Julia Vivian Hudson Oden, 96, of Bellflower, MO, passed away peacefully in her daughter, Brenda Hicks' home after visiting with several family members Saturday, June 8, 2019.

Vivian (as she was called by family and friends) was born to Ben and Elizabeth (Muddy) Hudson, August 28, 1922, the hottest day of the year, weighing 12 lbs. in a room with no windows and no air conditioning in Bellflower according to Vivian. She grew up in Bellflower, a half mile from Olin Oden: her future husband of 67 years. They attended Bellflower Elementary and graduated from Bellflower High School in 1940.

She worked and lived in St. Louis for several years after graduation. She worked at Davis's Restaurant in Wright City, MO and the McQuay & North Ammunition Factory during WWII. She married Olin on September 12, 1942. While Olin was in the service, they moved to Clovis, NM where he was stationed. They rented a room in a house with shared amenities with other service couples. Vivian referred to these years as some of the best times of her life. Their first born, Jerry, was delivered in Clovis.

After returning to Bellflower, Vivian started work at the U. S. Post Office in 1946. She retired as the Post Master in Truxton, MO in 1992. During those years she gave birth to 3 more children Roger, Brenda and Mike.

Vivian cooked many meals for her family and anyone that happened to stop by; there was always room at her table. Around that table she enjoyed telling a good story and a few dirty jokes. She always tended to an amazing garden, which would usually determine what was for dinner. She always shared her bounty generously with family, friends and strangers, who didn't remain strangers for very long. One of her favorite pastimes was going to Friday night auctions with Olin. She made many friends, had a piece of pie, and hardly bought anything. Saturday mornings were often spent negotiating deals at garage sales; no price was final. In the winter when all the chores were done, she would watch TV and crochet afghans for family and friends and friends of family, it didn't matter. Many people have treasured afghans as a result of her handy work.

One of Vivian's quotes that helped to sum up how she lived was "We grew up poor, but we didn't know it."

Vivian is survived by her four children: Jerry Oden and his wife, Donna, of Bellflower, MO; Roger Oden and his wife, Lois, of Bellflower, MO; Brenda Hicks and her husband, Ted, of Bellflower, MO; and Michael Oden and his wife, Vicki, of Montgomery City, MO; 10 Grandchildren: Todd Oden (Carol), Michele Oden (Todd Potter), Wes Oden (Alyssa Elfline), (Jenny Oden), Joe Oden (Joy), Bob Oden, Julia Holman (Travis), Andy Hicks (Kristen), Amy Shanks (Kyle), Nick Oden (Brittney Pastor) and Paige Oden; 16 Great-Grandchildren: Travis, Devon and Brooke Oden, Zach (Caitlyn Stuck) Clithero, Hadley Oden, Jordan (Carson), Kayla and Isaac Oden, Alex and Aubrey Oden, Annabelle Holman, Kendall, Aiden and Mason Hicks, and Vivian and Eleanor Shanks.

Vivian was preceded in death by her parents, Ben and Elizabeth Hudson; in-laws, Jim and Alma Oden; husband, Olin Oden; brother, Bob (Dorothy) Hudson, and grandson, Ben Oden.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Saturday, June 15, 2019, at the Schlanker Funeral Home in Montgomery City, MO.  Mrs. Oden was cremated.

In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Bellflower Presbyterian Church; the Bellflower Cemetery; or to the Montgomery County Senior Center, c/o Schlanker Funeral Home, 207 Danville Road, Montgomery City, MO   63361.