Edwin Stephen Oden

January 3, 1939 – September 29, 2026

Edwin Stephen Oden's life began in Atlanta, Texas on January 3, 1939. He passed away on September 29, 2026 at the age of 87. Steve graduated from Atlanta High School in 1957. He attended the University of Texas at Austin where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1961. He then attended Baylor Law School, where he distinguished himself academically. He served as President of his senior class.

In 1964, Steve married Mary Ann Moser of DeKalb, Texas, beginning a partnership that spanned 62 years. Following law school, the couple moved to Texarkana where he was a partner with the Atchley, Russell, Waldrop & Hlavinka law firm. He practiced business law with the firm from 1965 to 2004, with the exception of one year when he served as an Associate Justice on the Sixth Court of Appeals in Texarkana. His career included 53 years of service on the board of State Bank, including 31 years as Chairman. He also served on the boards of Atlanta National Bank, Spring Lake Savings and Loan, as a Regent for East Texas State University, now Texas A&M University-Texarkana, and as President of the Texarkana Bar Association.

Steve was a member of Williams Memorial United Methodist Church his entire adult life, having served the church consistently throughout that time.

Steve's love for his family was deep and deeply felt. He most enjoyed spending time with them in his free time. He was a learner at heart, and a voracious reader, loving history and travel. His second love was sports, most especially football. He particularly enjoyed attending Dallas Cowboy games with his father-in-law, and of course, his beloved Texas Longhorns.

Steve was survived by his loving family, most especially his wife Mary Ann and his children, Lynn McBroom and husband Ben, Stephen Oden, Jr. and wife Abbe, Anna Graves and husband David and his seven grandchildren, Edwin Stephen Oden, III (Chip), Robert Stephen McBroom, Mary Margaret Oden, Mary Ann Graves, Patrick William McBroom (Rick), Georgia Marie Graves, and Henry Garrett Graves. He is also survived by his sister, Gretchen Nichols and her husband Dan, and many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents, Marie and Edwin Oden and Mary Ann's parents, Marie and Otto Moser.

We would like to thank his caregivers and doctors with special thanks to Dr. Greg White and Charles Henderson.

Memorials may be made to Williams Memorial United Methodist Church of Texarkana, Texas.

Courtesy of Texarkana Funeral Home.