Christi Jo O'Dell Obenshain

Grace and grit, the dual hallmarks of great women. Christi Jo O’Dell Obenshain had both in abundant measure. She moved through this world with angelic empathy, the strength of generations of Leibrock and O’Dell women, the quick wit of her father, and the easy, comforting smile of her mother.

Christi was born on October 1, 1978, to Chris Dent and Joe O’Dell. She was a graduate of the University of Arkansas, where unbeknownst to her she was seated next to her future husband, Christopher Obenshain, at their graduation. Together they had two extraordinary twin daughters, Clara and Camryn, for whom she crafted a wonderful world full of love and adventures, big and small.

At work and at home she was the chief operating officer, a title befitting her initials, COO. Professionally, she worked in marketing and retail operations for Sam’s and Walmart. But Christi was rarely more happy than when she was planning a trip. It did not matter if it was the annual family trip to the beach, zoo and aquarium visits, or a girls’ trip with her sorority sisters, Christi was the cruise director. One time, over dinner with friends, she booked an impromptu couples’ cruise before the entree course arrived because the departure date was her birthday.

Christi once remarked that she saw little distinction between friends and family, as friends were just chosen family. The ladies of Alpha Delta Pi, the Divine Sisterhood of the YaYa Traveling Pants with whom she had a decades-long bond, were a constant source of love and support. She had the Pinkies Out crew who shared tea times and dinners filled with uproarious laughter. And the Ron’s Hamburger Friday Lunch Bunch who met over burgers and cheese fries on alternating Fridays to ensure a global retailer was operating at peak performance.

Christi enjoyed reading, being near or in the water, playing free radio sing-along concerts to fellow passengers on long road trips, gardening, and spending time with friends and family.

On July 22, 2024, Christi Jo O’Dell Obenshain joined a gloriously crowded heavenly table with her father, Joe O’Dell, and her grandparents Johnny and George Leibrock and Juanita O’Dell Smith and William O’Dell. She is survived by husband, Christopher and daughters Camryn and Clara of the home. Parents, Chris and Lyle Dent of Little Rock, and Carla O’Dell of DeWitt. Brothers John O’Dell with wife Katy and Wayne Dent of Little Rock. Sisters and their husbands, Hunter and Robert Norris and Amanda and Avery Martin all of Austin. Nieces and nephews, Kirby and George O’Dell, Gage, Whit, and Roxanna Norris, and Mara and Mae Martin.

There is not enough space to tell you, dear reader, of how extraordinary she was as a wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend. She poured immeasurable amounts of love into her children for whom she was the sun around which their worlds rotate. For them she provided strong examples of grace, grit, empathy, and kindness. She found joy in witnessing their wonderment and achievements. That same love she gave effortlessly and freely to all who she held dear. For them she fought cancer for nearly seven years without complaint or self-pity.

There are a million little things that those people will miss, but they are comforted by the fact that she rests peacefully in the presence of a loving God.

A celebration of life will be held at Central United Methodist Church in Rogers, Arkansas on Wednesday, July 31st at 10am. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Teen Action Support Center (tascnwa.org) or to an organization dedicated to the welfare of animals.