O’Dell, Irene Hamblin

Irene Hamblin O’Dell, 82, of Pembroke, departed this life Saturday evening, July 17, 2010 at Roanoke Memorial Hospital in Roanoke. Born in Berton, Giles County, on May 5, 1928, she was a daughter of the late Easley Edmond and Gladys DeWeese Hamblin. Irene was a 1945 graduate of the Pembroke High School “Corn Cutters”, had served as Treasurer of Giles County, was a devout Christian and member of Pembroke First United Methodist Church since she was eight years old. She enjoyed her church family so much and singing in the choir. She enthusiastically supported the Giles County Relay For Life with her talents and energy, was a volunteer at Eastern Elementary School for a number of years, participated in the Newport Fair projects, and was honored to be elected the first Giles County Honorary Life PTA Member. In 1991 she was included in Who’s Who In America, was active in the Giles County Week-Day Religious Education “Bible Bus” Program, served on the Pembroke Town Council for several years and was Vice-Mayor for one. The honor she cherished the most was being “Mom Dell” to her children, grandchildren and their friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, the love of her life for as long as she lived, her beloved husband, Thomas Stuart O’Dell, her brothers Eugene Hamblin and William Hamblin and her sister, Betty H. Steele. She leaves to cherish her memory her son and daughter-in-law, Franklin and Becky O’Dell, of Pearisburg; her daughter and son-in-law, Toma and Jerry Eaton, of Pembroke; her grandchildren, Shannon and Geof Allen, of Newport, Edward O’Dell, of Johnson City, Tenn., Kelly Eaton, of Narrows; her sister and brother-in-law, Nancy and Jerry Lafon, of Pembroke; her brother, John Hamblin, of Pembroke; special cousins and friends, Ed and Joyce Gillispie and Reginna Gillispie; and a loving church family and community family. Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Pembroke First United Methodist Church with Pastor Rob Laugh and Pastor Eddie Kendall officiating. Entombment will follow in Birchlawn Abbey in Pearisburg. The family will receive friends at the Kendall Funeral Home, 605 Snidow St., Pembroke Monday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers Irene has suggested that contributions be made to the “Bible Bus” Ministry or Pembroke First United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be sent by visiting kendallfuneralhome.com.