Jerry O'Dell

Jerry Bob O’Dell was born on June 27, 1936, to Thomas Robin O’Dell and Vida Mae (Floyd) O’Dell in Mineral Springs (Howard County), Arkansas. His parents were both school teachers, and his father also worked as a school superintendent. Jerry himself taught math and science for 25 years. Before and during that, he also worked at other jobs.

When he first moved to Little Rock, he took a job loading and unloading truckloads of ceramic tile. Soon, he was transferred to the chemistry lab and then the position of factory manager, a job which he held until the factory closed. He then went to work full-time at Dillard’s Department Store and later worked part-time at other retail stores while teaching school.

He held several church positions: Sunday School teacher for the College and Career class, the men’s class, and Sunday School Superintendent at Liberty Missionary Baptist Church, and teacher for two different Sunday School classes at Unity Missionary Baptist Church.

He has suffered greatly these last seven months from many ailments. His suffering came to an end August 30, 2020 at 10:18pm.

He was an only child and was preceded in death by his parents.

Survivors are his wife of 60 and 2/3 years, Redya M. (Lamb) O’Dell; his daughter, Robin Ann O’Dell; his son, David Lyndon O’Dell and wife, Lulu`; and two grandsons, Joshua Brian O’Dell and Daniel Josiah O’Dell.

Because of Covid-19, a small family service was held at Pinecrest Cemetery in Alexander, Arkansas on Saturday, September 5, 2020 at 2:00pm.