Odell Pannell Sr. was born November 9, 1930 to Alva and Genever Pannell and departed this life July 28, 2018 at the age of 87.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Josephine, two children, Ardell and Odell Jr., one sister, Lora Mae and three brothers, Austin, A.W. and Augustine.

Odell is survived by wife Alethea, six sisters Everlena (Lester), Naomi, Velda (Jewel), Marie (Emual), Esther (James), and Ella, two brothers, Robert and Arthur (Edna); his children, J.R.(Francine), Judy (Kenneth), Pete (Lynda), Barbara, Michelle, Elsie, Keven (Lousenda), Cephas (Theresa), Shaun (Rhonda), Patrice, Latrice (Roger), Brent (Eillo) , Sheryl (Anthony), and Lewis (Elizabeth); forty grandchildren, twenty-six great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews.

Odell was born in Deep Fork Bottom where he lived the majority of his childhood. He worked a number of years at Dillsaver Feed Mill in Okmulgee and later worked for Johnson Sanitation as a truck driver until he retired.

Odell never met a stranger. There were very few people in the surrounding communities that he did not know or have some knowledge of their family. He was an avid historian and would tell a story to anyone willing to listen. The one story he shared quite often was about him climbing a tree and making his way out on limb where he fell from the tree and landed on his head. He let it be known that his grandmother whipped his tail end all the way from that tree back to the house. As a result of that fall he was diagnosed with Saint Vitus Dance, which is a disorder of the nerves resulting in; jerky movements of the arms, legs, and face that cannot be controlled. Odell never gave up despite the illness and proceeded to live his life.

Odell was married to his first wife, Josephine for 49 years and from this union, 14 children were born. In 2003, thinking he would never marry again, he met Alethea who became his friend and running buddy, anytime either of them said "Let's Go" they were out the door. Within six months, she became his devoted wife. Alethea brought to the marriage two additional children. Until his death, they spent 14 years of being happy and best friends.

Odell enjoyed his life, kept a smile on his face and laugh in his voice and now he has gone home to be with his loved ones.

A Home Going Service is scheduled Saturday, August 4, 2018, 1:00 p.m., St. Matthew Baptist Church, 1001 E. Chicago Street, Okmulgee, OK; with Rev. McKinley Rice, eulogizing.  Interment will follow in Hawkins Cemetery, Hoffman, OK.

Visitation will be Friday, 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.

The family has been cared for by House of Winn Funeral Home-Okmulgee