Orpha Jane O'Dell

Orpha Jane O’Dell, 96, died Tuesday, June 12, 2007 at the Glenwood Park Retirement Community near Princeton, WV where she had been a resident over eight years. She grew up on a farm on Pea Ridge outside of Oak Hill, WV and lived most of her life residing in Oak Hill on Woods Avenue with her husband, Lundy. They were married over 60 years until his death in 1997. Jane was born April 19, 1911 to John Frederick and Alice Lewis O’Dell . She was a lifelong member of the Jones Avenue First Church of God, Oak Hill, the church her parents helped found in the early 1900’s. She was the last surviving of their nine children. Jane graduated from Oak Hill High School and went on to graduate from Berea College in 1933 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She began her teaching career in 1943, teaching Biology and general science in Oak Hill and later taught eighth grade science at Fayetteville High School. She retired in 1972. Jane was active for many years in the American Association of University Women, Redbud Garden, Homemakers and Retired Teachers Clubs. She enjoyed gardening, traveling, bowling and knitting. In her later years she took pride in attending all the graduations and weddings of her grandchildren. Cherished memories of Jane will be carried on by her family; daughters Lois Doggett and husband, Landon of Marietta, GA and Vivian Banchy and husband, Bill of Cincinnati, OH and her sons John O’Dell and wife, Valeda of Princeton, WV and Lundy O’Dell and wife, Pam of Cortland, OH. She leaves eight grandchildren: Michael O'Dell and wife, Sonia, Timothy O'Dell and wife, Laura, Stewart O’Dell and wife, Maral, Melissa McGady and husband, Michael, Tom Banchy, Mark Banchy, Barbara Huneck and husband, Scott, and Lauren Spangler. She also leaves six great grandchildren: Hope, Luke, Trevor, Justin, Isabella and Grady. Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM Friday, June 15, 2007 at the Jones Avenue First Church of God with Rev. Ralph Shupe and Rev. Tonya Shupe officiating. Visitation will be at the Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill on Thursday, June 14, 2007 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. There will also be visitation at the Jones Avenue Church of God on Friday, June 15th one hour prior to the funeral services. Interment will follow at High Lawn Memorial Park in East Oak Hill. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jane's memory may be made to the Jones Avenue Church of God, PO Box 104, Oak Hill, WV 25901 or to the Glenwood Park Retirement Village, 1924 Glenwood Park Road, Princeton, WV.