Dorothy Lorene Rodenberg

ODESSA In the early hours of Monday, November 29, 2004, our mother Dorothy Lorene Barber Rodenberg passed on to her heavenly home. The eleventh child of John Monroe Barber and Ada Alice Black Barber was born in Guy, Texas on September 5, 1919.
On December 9, 1937 at the age of eighteen, Dorothy married William Reese Rodenberg in Luling Texas. Together, they followed the oil industry to numerous Texas cities while rearing their four children. In 1954, Dorothy and Reese settled in Odessa, making it their home for the remaining years of their lives.
As homemaker and mother of four, Dorothy always made sure that her children were involved in school and church activities as well as sports and music. Over fifty years ago, she gave birth to her fourth child — her miracle baby, Johnnie. Dorothy accepted the challenges of raising a premature, deaf child who became a responsible, productive adult. She researched the accepted technique of deaf communication and taught her family a method of “lip-reading.” In later years, she learned to use sign language and interpreted for her son.
Dorothy was preceded in death by Reese, her husband of over fifty years.
She is survived by her four children: Billie Jo Gregory and husband, Tommy; Reba Chisum; Jimmie Rodenberg and wife Linda; and Johnnie Rodenberg and wife Jody.
The memory of Mamma will be carried by her ten grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren and seven great-great grandchildren.
During the last seven years of Dorothy’s life, she resided at Deerings Nursing Home. The family would like to express gratitude to administrator David Barnard and his staff for their efficient and loving care.
A special word of thanks from the family to her friend and roommate, Helen Jackson.
Dr. David C. Mindel will officiate graveside services at Sunset Memorial Gardens at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, December 1.
Services entrusted to Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors.