Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home & Crematory

Get the Draeger-Langendorf Obituaries App

Download on the App Store
Get it on Google Play

(262) 552-9000

Erma Jean Odems

Aug 15, 1954 – Mar 23, 2021

Service Details

A celebration of Erma’s life and homegoing will be held on Thursday, April 1, 2021, 11:00 am, at Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home and Crematory, 4600 County Line Road.  Visitation will be from 9:00am until the time of the service.  Burial will follow at Graceland Cemetery.

The service will be available for live streaming on Thursday at the following link:

https://youtu.be/T54SGM_QgEM

Order Flowers from Family Selected Florists

Miller's Flowers

Racine – Erma Jean Odems, age 66, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family, on Tuesday, March 23, 2021. Erma was born in Hazen, Arkansas, on August 15, 1954 to Harrison Odems and Erma Lee Hathaway. Erma Jean and her mother moved to Racine when Erma was an infant. She began her childhood on the northside of Racine where she formed many relationships and became the big sister, protector, and mentor of many of her friends and peers.

At age 18, she decided to head to Job Corps to get her diploma which she later received in an adult GED program. Erma was an entrepreneur at 39 years old, opening her very own daycare which she named after her late mother, “Bigma’s Daycare”. Erma enjoyed taking care of her mother, Erma Lee Knox, and the elderly. She was a licensed Certified Nursing Assistant for over 30 years, serving others in that way until the day she died. She loved pool, darts, cooking, and dancing, dancing, dancing. She truly enjoyed every second of her life.

Surviving are her three children, Leewauna (Jesse) Epps and  Martise Odems, of Racine, and Chartrice (Charles) Pearson-Gates of Georgia; her siblings, Abbot (Jeanette) Griffin, Leetha Griffin, Lawrence Griffin, Cornelius “Neal” Griffin, and Caroline Griffin; her grandchildren, Ashley, Takoya, Terri, Antanisha, Cier, and Ermeesha; seven great-grandchildren; her godchildren, Brandon, Renault, and Davion; special friends, William Lewis, Dorthey Williams, Barbara Brown, Martha Goss, Peggy Price, Debbie Jones, Audrey Swoops and Shirley Bell; a host of nieces and nephews, including special niece and nephew, Tequana Sanders and Dennis Griffin.

Preceding Erma in death were her Mother and Father, Erma Lee Knox and Harrison Odems; brothers, Calvin and Floyd Griffin; sister, Rosetta Griffin; cousin, Gwen Hall; and niece and nephew, Yolanda and Brian Golden.

A celebration of Erma’s life and homegoing will be held on Thursday, April 1, 2021, 11:00am, at Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home and Crematory, 4600 County Line Road.  Visitation will be from 9:00am until the time of the service.  Burial will follow at Graceland Cemetery.

Guestbook Entries

  2. Linda Ivy says

    Mr & Mrs Bird Ivy, would like to send our deepest condolences to you and your family, I know Bird is gonna miss her up at Bucks getting on his butt . They was always going at it, it was nothing but Love, We wi continue to pray for you Leewauna

  3. Anonymous says

    Marcia Collier and Family is sending our heartfelt condolences to Erma’s family. We use to work together years ago. She was a fun coworker. Hold on Lewanda, god got you .

  5. Tracy and Snoop Oliver says

    So sorry for the pain your family is dealing with at this time. Our deepest sympathy and prayers go out to you all. To Leewauna, it was such a pleasure to know your mom, she was a fun loving and kind woman. My best memory is when Snoop would walk up to her and make the sound a hula hoop makes and they would just crack up together. Love, hugs and kisses to you.

  6. Valencia Tucker says

    To the family of our mother sister aunt friend my Condolences I will miss my sister. Rest on big sister love you but god loved you best . Always with Love.

  9. The Cotton family says

    To the family of Erma Jean condolences from the Cotton family. May Gid be with you in tears trying times.

  11. Marilyn Williams Pearson and family says

    My heart hurts so bad still in disbelief sending my condolences to her kids grandkids and friends you will always have a spot in my heart rest on twin rest on

  12. Cherry &Linda Campbell(kenosha) says

    Condolences and prayers to the family of sister Erma jean💔🙏🙏🙏

  13. Therita Bogan says

    The family have my deepest sympathy,l, we use to work together it was delightful to work with Erma

  15. Ted & Jo Carol Harris says

    Erma Jean was a Beautiful person until the End. RIP My Sister. Heart felt Condolences to the Family. 🕊

  16. Dorothy M Bizzle an Family says

    So sorry for your loss praying for strength and healing in loss of your love one

  17. Anonymous says

    My condolences and sympathy goes out to her family. She was a beautiful person, inside amd out. We held the same birthday and same attitude. We would joke around, she had a great sense of humor. May you rest in paradise..betty boo..love you 💋

  19. Anonymous says

    Condolence to Irma Jean life long friend that kept us with a laugh as long as I knew her she will be missed, May God heal the family.. Ilena Cobb and Denise McWhorter😇

  21. Rena Days says

    Yous the Only One! Miss you. Love you. May God keep you in His Love………. Rena Days

    Da Butt Da Butt I know you keeping them laughing in Heaven!

  22. Patricia Davis says

    My thoughts and prayers are with your family. Erma was a great person and always a pleasure to be around! Pat Davis

  23. Anonymous says

    The Adams family send their most deepest sympathies to the family. Erma Jean and my mother Linda Adams was friends since I was a child and I could remember them both getting dressed to go out and party. Erma Jean loved to dress and dance.
    You will be greatly missed.
    Leewauna we love you.

  25. Telveda McNeil says

    To the Family,

    My Condolences and prayers are with you in your time of need.

    The McNeil Family

  27. Paula Boykin and Family says

    Sincere condolences to the family may God strengthen you all in your time of need . I will always remember Erma Jean when I fry a turkey lol she always wanted the dute 😄 . RIP my friend

  29. Robin Hooks - Hunter says

    To the Family and Friends of Emma Jean my heart felt condolences to each of you at this most difficult time. Love each of you and my prayer will continue being that you just lost your grand mother. God strength

  31. Asewanetta Bonner & Maurice Davis says

    Sorry about your lost, may God continue to keep you and the family covered, love yall always! Praying for you all!

  34. Yvonne Davidson says

    Lewaunna and family y’all have my deepest condolences in the passing of your mother, my god sister. I’m gonna miss Erma jean, I’m so glad I came by to visit her before she left to be with God. It’s not gonna be the same here without her. I just can’t believe that she is gone. Rest in Heaven my God sister.

  39. Walinda Riley & family says

    Erma Jean you will be missed by all. I remember us working together I will never forget I had to come and get you for help and the situation had us both in stitches. Rest in heaven your work is done on this side. My prayers to the family .

  40. Chartrice "Duck" Pearson-Gates says

    Miss you so much momma! I will mourn you until I join you. Thanks to everyone for your well wishes & condolences. Love.

  41. Debra Malone says

    Luana sorry to hear about your mom’s passing and may God keep blessing you and your family love you

  43. Maggie Cobb says

    Condolence to the family may God give you comfort and strength during this difficult time .

  46. LaHyrah Venzant says

    Auntie I just want you to know you will be truly missed on this side of Heaven I will continue to make them Oxtail and continue to do your favorite dance I Love your girl Tootie.

  47. SHANDA SMITH says

    My deepest condolences to Lewaunna and family on the passing of their mom Erma Jean who was a delight to know and brought sunshine and fun to everyone she met and everyplace she went. RIP MY BEAUTIFUL QUEEN AUNTIE LOVE YOU 😘 💔🥰❤️🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

  52. CARMEN PHILLIPS🙏❤ says

    RIH YOU WILL BE TRULY MISSED😪🙏❤LOVE ALWAYS CARMEN AND FAMILY😪

  54. Brenda Ward says

    Ante im so sorry couldnt make to see u take off with your Beautiful Wings, Love u until we meet again

  57. Crystal Bizzle says

    Sending my condolences to the family, this one hits hard. Love y’all stay strong family. The Bizzle Family

  61. Karen Golden from Tennessee says

    Sending nothing but love to the families of Erma . So sorry for y’all loss 🙏💜

  62. Brenda Allen says

    My deepest condolences to the family , my heart goes out to you all , may you find comfort in your faith in the lord Christ Jesus. Remembering he rose from the dead, leaving that hope for us also .

Sign the Guestbook

Note: Your guestbook entry will be added once approved.


Testimonials

October 22, 2015

I lost my parents withing two years of each other and Mike and his staff not only took very good care of my parents but the family. It is very obvious that they take their jobs very seriously. I don\’t know how they do it but thank God for people like them. Thanks for everything! Mike thank you! You made this easier for me. Remember me and mother was like a married couple!

Valisa Coleman

View all Testimonials

Contact Us

Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home
4600 County Line Road
Mount Pleasant, WI 53403
(262) 552-9000

Map & Directions

Copyright ©2025 Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home. All Rights Reserved. Sitemap
Built by Westwords