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| Grace Y. Oda |
Grace
Yoshiye (Mori) Oda (Poston 327-5-A) was born on May 16, 1915 in Kerman, California to Japanese
immigrant farmers, Shunzo (Kuroda) and Sadame Mori. Grace was the eldest of the
5 siblings: Midori "Dora"(305-5-A), Yoneo Leo, Meiko "May"(305-5-A), and Machiko "Marty" (305-5-A)
in the Mori family. Her father died from
tuberculosis and a year later, her mother re-married a widower, Tamekichi "Tom Kiyomoto (305-5-A),
with three sons, Seyichi, and George who lived in Reedley, California; and little
Roy Takayuki Kiyomoto, who she never me since he returned to Japan when he was
a toddler. Another sister was born, June Kiyomoto (305-5-A), and in a few years, her
mother died from tuberculosis. Grace
attended Great Western School and graduated from Reedley High School in
1932.
Grace was the honored "ne-san" (older sister) who kept house and helped raise
them when they were left motherless at an early age in Reedley.
Following the signing of Executive Order
9066, the Grace's family was evacuated to the Poston, Arizona concentration
camp in the Arizona desert. They
arrived on August 4, 1942 and lived at 305-5-A. Grace became engaged and married Sadao Jack
Oda in February 1943 at the Poston block 305 Christian Church. They lived
at a honeymoon suite at Poston 327-5-A. While in Poston, Grace gave birth to Sam N.
Oda. Her husband, Jack was drafted into
the Army and served in the 442nd RCT Company D in Italy and France.
Grace and Sammy left Poston, Arizona and returned
with her family to Reedley in August 1945.
In 1946, Grace gave birth to a second child, Carolyn S. Oda in Reedley. The Oda family moved to Fresno in 1952 and rented
farm property at McKinley Avenue belonging to his brother-in-law, Yoneo Mori,
until his early death in 1966, then from Fumie Mori and Carol (Mori)
Visitacion.
Grace was a house wife and worked part-time
in the field. In 1962, Grace began to work at Del's Drapery factory in Fresno,
and retired in 1970. In her retirement,
she began quilting as a hobby. Grace was
active in the Christ United Methodist Church as a Sunday School teacher, United
Methodist Women, and later at the United
Japanese Christian Church and the church quilters, as well as the Biola Community
Club. Grace welcomed into the world her many beloved nieces and nephews as they
were born.
Grace
Yoshiye Oda, age 97, died on March 15,
2013 in Fresno, California. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack
Sadao Oda; brothers, Seyichi Kiyomoto and Yoneo Mori; and sisters, Midori (Mori)
Katayama and May (Mori) Yahata.
She is survived by her son, Sam (Allene) Oda; daughter, Carolyn (Gary) Soto; granddaughter, Mariko (Trevor) Lofthouse; brother, George Kiyomoto; and sisters, Marty (Mori) Suyama and June (Kiyomoto) Kitagawa.
She is survived by her son, Sam (Allene) Oda; daughter, Carolyn (Gary) Soto; granddaughter, Mariko (Trevor) Lofthouse; brother, George Kiyomoto; and sisters, Marty (Mori) Suyama and June (Kiyomoto) Kitagawa.
