Marcelle Odom Wetherington

Marcelle Odom Wetherington was the firstborn child of Joe and Corine Odom, making her debut on March 14, 1933 in Alapaha, Georgia. She grew up among seven siblings on a farm near Lakeland, GA, where she preferred to work the fields picking tobacco with her father and other family members, than stay indoors. She also attended school there, and a short while after graduating, she met her future husband, Hartridge Gilma (Gil) Wetherington, Jr., an airman in the U.S. Air Force. Together they spent many dates at the dance hall, and they married in 1955. Marcelle (Marcie) worked at the BX on base when he was stationed at Moody Air Force Base in Georgia. In 1956, Marcie gave birth to her firstborn son, Rickey. A few years later, Marcie and Rickey followed Gil to Japan where he was stationed. Their second son, Richard, was born there in 1960.

After returning to the States, Marcelle, Gil, and their boys lived at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. When Gil discharged from the service, they moved to Florida - first to Dunedin with Gil’s parents, then to Clearwater. Shortly after, the family moved to Merritt Island, Florida, where Marcie resided the rest of her life. For a while, she and her husband ran a fishing boat out of Port Canaveral with the help of their sons. Marcie was renowned for her fisher-woman skills, reeling in snapper and grouper while others’ lines were limp.

Always a resourceful person, Marcie worked at selling Tupperware and Avon, and also was employed by and retired from the Florida Department of Transportation toll system. She was active for decades with Women of the Moose #1544 at the Loyal Order of Moose #2073 in Merritt Island, where she was involved in the leadership and had won honors. She was a lifetime member there, was active in the Red Hat Society, and won at bingo nearly every Wednesday and Friday. She also danced at the parties there and did fundraising for Mooseheart, a school and residence for needy children.

Marcie had many friends, and a great sense of humor. If you told her she looked good, which she always did, she would reply “I know” matter-of-factly. She was always elegant and classy, from her constantly-coifed hair and bright red nails, right down to the matching pair of shoes she had for each of her stylish outfits. She was active and attended nearly every family reunion, and she vacationed every year with her brothers and sisters.

Marcelle Odom Wetherington passed into glory on November 9, 2019 surrounded by loving children and grandchildren. She loved her family with all her heart, and they will miss her dearly. She is survived by her two beloved sons and wives, Rickey & Rhonda Wetherington and Richard & Melissa Wetherington. She also leaves behind her seven siblings and their spouses: Raymond & Shirley Odom, John ”Dub” & Catherine Odom, Donald Odom, Ava Nell Stevens, Patricia & Daniel Dean, Carol Jean Pagels, and Jerry & Sarah Odom. In addition, she has nine grandchildren and step-grandchildren: Joshua (Stacey) Wetherington, Amanda (Jeremy) Massey, Phillip (Jennifer) Parrish, Mikayla Starrett, Sarah (Bradley) Fontenot, Jessica (Cory) Phillips, Jenna Wetherington, Michael (Claire Cummings) Zetlow, and Rachel (Brian) Bates. Her abundant family also includes sixteen great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband, and her sister-in-law, Madge, wife of her brother Donald.

The Life Event Center at Florida Memorial, 5950 S. U.S. Highway 1 in Rockledge, Florida will be conducting the services on Sunday, November 17, 2019 with viewing beginning at 11:30 a.m. for immediate family and 12 noon for family and friends. A 1:00 p.m. service will follow, with interment at 2 p.m.

Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice, or to Mooseheart Charities at https://www.moosecharities.org/