Lily
Clark Oden was known in the Altus community for her works of charity
and her many contributions toward the advancement of the fine arts.
As a public school music teacher and private piano
teacher, she fostered a special love for music in her students.
Oden enjoyed providing "scholarships" for young
people who would not have been able to study piano otherwise. She
privately assisted those in need, especially before social service
agencies were established in Altus.
She graduated from West Texas State, having also
attended Altus Junior College and Oklahoma City University. She was
married to Waldo T. Oden, an attorney and civic leader in Altus, who
served as a member of the first WOSC Board of Regents from
1971-1976.
Mr. and Mrs. Oden were both instrumental in
building the new college campus for Western Oklahoma State College
and its establishment as a state-supported higher education
institution.
Oden was a founding member of the Associated
Christian Ministries, Inc., a mission to the community.
Oden was a membe of the Oklahoma Music Teacher’s
Association, a founding member of the MacDowell Club of Allied Arts
and a charter member of Chapter CM of P.E.O.
She belonged to the United Methodist Church in
Altus since 1928, where she served as a leader of the youth, an
adult Sunday School teacher, and church historian.
