Tony Wade O'Dell Obituary (1944

Tony O'Dell, a lifetime native of Old Jonesboro Road, Chuckey, went to be with the Lord. He passed at home, surrounded by his family. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Mr. O'Dell has been a long time follower of Christ. He has been active in the youth programs and church activities; working with one of the largest youth programs in the Church of God, "Anderson Movement". He worked with the youth, at Horse Creek Church of God, and Campground Church of God. He has also been the teacher of the senior age class at Elizabethton Church of God. He attended Cedar Creek Church of God, frequently, and Horse Creek Church of God, as long as his health permitted. He held leadership roles in the district and state movements, of the Church of God. He started Camp Greeneville, in the state camping program, for the Church of God youth. This camping outreach is still active. Out of the youth work and camping program, he had at least five young men that became active full time ministers. They are, Dale Shelton, Gene Barker, Doug Ripley, Darryl Allen and Alan Hutchinson. He also spent a great deal of his time in the music program, and was affiliated with the Salvation Singers, Inc. Mr. O'Dell was a public school teacher, having been tenured by Greene County Board of Education and the Greeneville City Board of Education. He started as a classroom teacher for the county, and worked at several other assignments. The last assignment was program director for the Alternative Learning Program. The last years, he worked as a retail supervisor for a local convenience store chain, Marsh Petroleum, usually working 12-14 stores. They were situated over 5 or 6 counties. He almost always worked more than one job, at a time. He had worked for the National Park service, Adult Education, Upper East TN Human Development Agency, Green Giant Company, in the state of WA, and Magnavox, out of Fort Wayne, IN. Mr. O'Dell received a BS degree from Tusculum College and a Master's degree from East TN State University. In addition, he studied and did workshops at Vanderbilt University, Walters State, and the University of TN. He studied Homiletics, at Anderson University, and the School of Theology, in Anderson, IN. He is survived by his loving wife, of 27 years, Linda Jennings O'Dell; four children, two of which, were by marriage, and their spouses, John and Janel O'Dell, of Augusta, GA, Beth O'Dell, of Chuckey, Kristy and Shane Matthews, of Greeneville, and Larry and Shannon Hale, of Morristown; four grandchildren, Andrew Patton O'Dell, Mary Elizabeth Ladd, John (L.J.) Woodruff Pressler, IV, and Cole Marcum Matthews; brother and sister in law, Earland and Glorinna O'Dell; sisters and brothers in law, Gwondola and R.L. Anderson, Earline and Bobby Shaw; nieces and their spouses, Brenda and Leland Wilson, Gail O'Dell, Carolyn and Ornie Armstrong, Sandra Singleton, Judy and Ricky Metcalfe, Sarah and Thomas Reedy, Jane and Berkley Bell, Star and Jimmy Mercer, Paula and Bobby Morrison, Buffy and Richard Bales; nephews and their spouses, Jackie and Kathy O'Dell, Jim and Joan O'Dell, Jeff and Carolyn Mitchell, Mike and Teresa Johnson, Donnie and Glenn French, Phil French, and Chris and Andrea O'Dell; mother in law, Ruby Jennings; sisters in law and their spouses, Patricia and Bobby Winstead, Sue and Sammy Garber, Betty and Micheal Garber, Teresa and Gerald Shelton, Leona Mae and Timmy Mitchell and Brenda and Scott Malone; brothers in law and their spouses, Kenny Jennings, Jimmy and Ginger Jennings, Steve and Mary Ann Jennings, and Albert and Angel Jennings. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, George W. and Mary Alice Stills Darnell, William Nelson and Flora Fillers O'Dell; parents, Porter F. and Myrtle Darnell O'Dell; two infant children, Patrick Porter O'Dell, and Mary Alice O'Dell; sisters and brothers in law, Geralidine and Bruce Stanley Mitchell, Marcine and Maynard Johnson, and Vern Jones; brothers and sister in law, Frank and Jerileen O'Dell, and Jackie Lowell O'Dell; nephews, Gabe Wilson, Junior Voiles, and Vic Singleton. The family will receive friends, Thursday, November 17, 2016 from 1-3pm & 5-7pm, at Jeffers Funeral and Cremation Service Downtown. The funeral service will be held, Friday, November 18, 2016, at 2:30, at Horse Creek Church of God, with Rev. Bobby Morrison, and Rev. Darryl Allen officiating. Interment will be in Horse Creek Church of God Cemetery. Pallbearers will be, Jackie O'Dell, Jeff Mitchell, Donnie French, Phil French, Mike Johnson, Christopher O'Dell, Shannon O'Dell, and Nelson O'Dell. Honorary Pallbearers are, Jim O'Dell, nephews, and grand nephews. To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of Tony Wade O'Dell, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store. print Print Obituary