Obituaries
Reverend Odessa E. Coder, 83
August 13, 2022
Reverend Odessa Evelyn (Stewart) Coder, 83, of Lancaster, passed away at Promedica Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation on Saturday, August 13, 2022. Born in Lancaster, she was the daughter of the late Earl and Aldine (Gates) Stewart.
Pastor Coder was the Founder and Lead Pastor of St. Paul Church of God in Christ. She graduated from the St. Joseph Hospital 1959 as Practical Nurse and OR Technician and in 1961 as a Psychiatric Nurse. She was a graduate of the Lancaster Bible College and also attended the Lancaster Theological Seminary. She was one of 27 women ordained by the late Bishop O.T. Jones, Jr. She served as lecturer for Black Ministries at Millersville University and instructor for the Lancaster Theological Seminary. She was given the Shero Award by Millersville University in 1997 and earned a Master of Divinity from the Liberty Bible Institute.
In 1990, Pastor Coder was appointed to the Women’s Commission of Lancaster County, where she served for 3 years. She was a 1992 graduate of Leadership Lancaster. She received the District Award for Pastor of the Year in 1989 of the Coatesville District of the Churches of God in Christ. She was honored by the Eastern Baptist Seminary, as well as the National Association of Clergy Women on September 27, 1990. Pastor Coder has also served on the Special Missions Board for the Annual Festival Scholarship Benefit, which is a Special Board in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania of the Church of God in Christ. She was appointed as a State Adjutant by the late Bishop O.T. Jones and was also appointed a National Adjutant by the late Bishop H. Jenkins Bell, Chief Adjutant General of the National Churches of God in Christ in Memphis, TN.
Pastor Coder began serving with the Lancaster City Police Department in the Chaplaincy Program on February 28, 1997; she was sworn in by the Mayor and City Council as the First Female Minority in this role in the history of Lancaster City. In 2002, Pastor Coder was given the Pastor of the Year Award of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania of the Churches of God in Christ.
Besides a full pastorialship and numerous counseling duties, Pastor Coder also led the Minority Prison Ministry of Lancaster County for 14 years and had an accomplished Radio Ministry for 2 years. She has been honored for her ministry in Drug and Alcohol abuse. She also served as Chaplain of the Senior Citizens Center, served on the Board of Directors for the Fair Housing Commission, and served with the Urban League of Lancaster County.
Pastor Odessa Coder is survived by her son, Assistant Pastor Randall Coder (wife, Maribel); her grandchildren Lee Cepeda-Coder, Randall I. Coder, Ryan S. Coder, Lucretia Stewart, and Dougquan Stewart; her great-grandchildren Maximus “Leeler” Torres, Breana Torres, Eric Stewart, and Dougquan Stewart; her sister Earline Owens; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Douglas Stewart and brother, William Stewart. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Elsie Stewart and Mae Stewart for their care and special attention.
A Viewing will be held at St. Paul Church of God in Christ, 215 S Queen Street, Lancaster, PA 17603 on Saturday, August 20, 2022 from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM. A Funeral Service led by Reverend Dr. Louis Butcher will immediately follow. Committal will take place at Mellinger Mennonite Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Paul Church of God in Christ at the address above.
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Condolences to the Family
February 19, 2023
My angel I found out after the fact I still thought you were still alive thank you for being my pastor my friend and my hero I know that you’re in heaven praising God and preaching a storm I am so sorry to the family Coder and Stewart for the loss of a hero and your family and a loss to this community my heart is broken in pieces today I will be going to I would say her church because it will always be your church thank you for all the love that you gave without a charge and thank you for being my angel that was there in the good and in the bad love you my beautiful Pastor fly high my beautiful angel I will I will always miss you my pastor my angel mi bella Ángel mi pastora Gracias por todo el amor
August 22, 2022
My deepest condolences to your family and church family. She was truly a gem.
August 21, 2022
Giving my condolences to my cousin Randy and her grandchildren…She went on to glory with that beautiful smile. May God wrap his wings around my family. Love y’all
August 20, 2022
My sincere condolences to the entire Coder family she was such a inspiration to us and we will forever miss her. The clergy has lost one, sold out for Jesus and her great church family. May you Rest In Peace Pastor Coder.
May the works she has done speak for her!!!!’
Dr.Thaddeus & Rev. Eloise Godwin💐
August 20, 2022
Resolution for Pastor Odessa Coder
To the Coder and St. Paul’s Church family, remember “earth has no sorrow heaven cannot heal.”
We, the members of Coatesville District Churches, of the Commonwealth Jurisdiction of the Church of God in Christ, want the family of Reverend Odessa Evelyn (Stewart) Coder to know that our hearts are with you as we gather to bid a temporary farewell to a great lover of the cause of Christ, an encourager of the saints and of the entire Lancaster community. We do not say goodbye, but we say, “ until we meet again,” to this great Woman of God.
WHEREAS
Pastor Coder was the founder of the St. Paul Church of God in Christ, where she led a trailblazing ministry of distinction. This being evidenced by the fact that Pastor Coder was named the first woman of color to serve as a Lancaster City Police Department Chaplain in 1997. Just a few of her other honors include receiving the District Award for Pastor of the Year of the Coatesville District in 1989 and the Pastor of the Year Award of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Jurisdiction in 2002.
She was also a leader in ecumenical ministry, as proven by her being honored by Eastern Baptist Seminary, as well as the National Association of Clergy Women in 1990 among her many other, local, regional, and national accolades.
WHEREAS
the transition of this spiritually powerful and beloved woman of God is part of the sovereign will of God, which we accept in faith, knowing God makes no mistakes. We encourage you today with the words of 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED
as this written resolution bears testament, Pastor Odessa Evelyn (Stewart) Coder will always be remembered, and her memory cherished by all the members of the Coatesville District of the Commonwealth Jurisdiction of the Church of God in Christ.
Submitted on this 20th day of August 2022, by the District Superintendent, Eld. Milton Baxter, and the Pastors and members of the Coatesville District of the Church of God in Christ.
A copy of this Church Resolution will be given to the Family and another copy will be recorded in the District archives.
August 20, 2022
My condolences to each and every one of you; Odessa had a life well lived. My prayers will be with you today.
August 19, 2022
My condolences go out to the family words can’t explain her when frist her I feel at home I love she will be miss giong never forgetting Rip
August 19, 2022
My condolences to the Coder, Stewart and Church Family. Prayers of comfort during this time.🙏🏾
August 18, 2022
Randy and Family,
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your Mother. She sounds like an amazing woman and had such an everlasting impact on so many people. Please accept my sincere condolences.
Cathy Koller
August 18, 2022
Sending our love and hugs to our family during such a difficult time. Rev was such a beautiful soul and blessing in so many ways to us and such a huge part of our lives from Sunday school through the passing of our own mother at a young age and so many other times thereafter. The world is definitely a better place because she was here. We love you Randy, Earline, Mae and the entire Coder/Stewart family.
With love, Yolanda, Demond, Shekia, Veronica, and John Thomas-Stewart and our families
August 18, 2022
My sincere condolences and prayers of comfort and strength to Randy, the Coder and Stewart families.
I fondly recall an article published years ago in the Lancaster New Era:
Reverend Odessa Coder was asked how she wanted to be remembered: She stated that “She has a heart for all people and she gave all she had.”
A true statement indeed.
I also remember her marching with DADDS on Saturdays in my neighborhood. A true pillar of strength in every sense of the word.
RIP to a wonderful woman.
My prayers are with you all during this season of unspeakable loss.
August 17, 2022
To My Family; i am so sorry, i just heard a few minutes ago about Aunt Des!! She was truly indeed one of a kind. I will do my best to get there for her homegoing service. Randy, i am so sorry. I know how it feels to loose a mother. Auntie was more than an aunt to me over the years. I LOVE YOU.
August 17, 2022
My sincere condolences to the entire Coder family she was such a inspiration to me and I will forever miss her. May you Rest In Peace Pastor Coder.
August 17, 2022
My condolences to my brother Randy and his family..May God continue to Bless and Comfort you and your family through this difficult time..Love..Faith Strength and Grace will carry you through…hold on to God’s love
August 17, 2022
to the family prayers and my condolences for your loss
August 17, 2022
In our remembering you by Mrs Aldine Stewart! You’ve been a great worker for our LORD and savior bringing people into the fold! Rest on take your well deserved rest thou good and faithful servant! Charlotte Weeks in Sympathy ❤☝🏽
August 17, 2022
My deepest condolence to the family my God continue to bless and keep you and your family
August 17, 2022
My most sincere and deepest condolences 🙏. Carl Christmas and Christmas family
August 17, 2022
My condolences to Pastor coder family and church family may God bless you and keep you during this time of Sorrow she was a beautiful person inside and out she surely will be missed may she rest in peace. Sincerely the Gantz family
August 17, 2022
Odessa was such a gift to the world! Her accomplishments were myriad. I will remember her always as a woman who tolerated no nonsense while at the same time had a heart overflowing with love. I’m so sorry we lost touch through the years. She was always an inspiration to others.
August 17, 2022
My deepest condolences May you rest in peace 🙏
August 17, 2022
My sincere condolences and prayers to the Coder family!
August 17, 2022
My sincere condolences and prayers are extended to the family of Rev. Odessa Coder who has truly been a role model in the community! She will truly be missed but never forgotten for all that she did to make a difference. May God comfort and bless the family during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Dontina and the Jones Family
August 16, 2022
My deepest condolences to your family. Reverend Coder was a very beautiful and strong woman
August 16, 2022
Sending my deepest condolences to the Coder Family. From Priscilla Gardner Murphy and Family St. Helena Island S.C.
August 16, 2022
My condolences to the Family, Friends and Loved ones of Pastor Coder. Prayers of comfort during this time.
August 16, 2022
Sending prayers n condolences to Randy n family members in the lost of losing your mother Reverend Coder from Earl/Mary/Papa Boots family
- Visitation
- Saturday, August 20, 2022
- 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- St. Paul Church of God in Christ
- 215 S. Queen St.
- Lancaster, PA 17603
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- Saturday, August 20, 2022
- 11:00 AM
- St. Paul Church of God in Christ
- 215 S. Queen St.
- Lancaster, PA 17603
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