Obituary of Laura Jean O'Dell

On Saturday, April 17, 2021, Laura Jean (Wiley) O’Dell, loving wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away at the age of 71. Laura was born on February 14, 1950, to Anna Lee (Snider) and Harmon Wiley in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. Laura graduated from Sapulpa High School in 1968 and University of Central Oklahoma in 1974. On December 29, 1970, she married Lorence O’Dell, Jr. Together they raised a son and daughter, Jeffrey and Erin. She accepted Jesus Christ as her personal savior as a child and was baptized in 1959 at First Baptist Church of Sapulpa. Her soul is with her savior now and forever. She worked for Caney Valley USD 436 school system for 28 years and retired in 2015 as Clerk of the Board. While employed there she worked with a Parent Committee to start an Indian Education program in 1999, was director for two years, and assisted with the program until retirement. She also taught Native American basket weaving to these students and coordinated an annual pow-wow. She was a proud member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and the Bird Clan. Past Community service: Volunteered at Lincoln Elementary Library, Lincoln Boosters, Bullpup Booster Club, and a past secretary for the Caney Community Foundation. Laura loved to spend time with her family. She adored her grandchildren, and often said that being a mother and grandmother was her favorite role in life. She was loved by so many that passed through the halls of CVHS. She was well known for her quick wit, and her love of good conversation – from small talk to the deep and philosophical. Her care and compassion, her laugh, and her peanut butter cookies will be sorely missed. Survivors include her loving spouse of 50 years, Larry, of the home in Caney, Kansas; son Jeff O'Dell, of Ada, OK, daughter and son-in-law, Erin and Ray Biery, of Moore, OK; and she was blessed with five precious grandchildren: Noah Lee, Aubrey, and Harmon O'Dell of Ada, and Annalee and Maya Rose Biery of Moore. Siblings: David Wiley of Shawnee, OK, Roger Wiley of McAlester, OK, and Grace Smith of Edmond, OK. Plus, many more loving in-laws, nieces and nephews, cousins, friends, and prayer warriors. Preceded in death by her parents, Anna Lee Wiley and Harmon Wiley; and grandparents, Anna and Lee Snider, and Melissa and Adam Wiley. Memorial service, cremation and internment will take place at Green Hill Memorial Gardens in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. The memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 24, 2021 at the Green Hill Funeral Home Chapel at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, you may send donations to the American Indian College Fund. The family asks that you please wear a mask while attending services for Laura. Thank you.