Charles Melton O’Dell, age 87, of Columbia passed away Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at the Medical Center at Bowling Green in Bowling Green. He was born on December 14, 1937 to the late Lonzolie and Cora (Montgomery) O’Dell and grew up in the city of Clinton in Eastern Tennessee.
At a young age, Charles made a profession of faith in Christ during services held at New Beverly Baptist Church and was baptized in a small creek just outside of Knoxville, TN. As a young man, Charles enlisted in the Army National Guard, training at Fort Jackson in South Carolina. Charles then moved to Kentucky and became an x-ray technician, employed by Adair Memorial Hospital. Over a span of 60 years, Charles continued to work as Director of Radiology at Westlake Cumberland Hospital, Casey County Hospital, and Greensburg Hospital. Charles enjoyed farming in his spare time, spending time with his family and grandchildren, admiring antique and classic cars, and watching favorite westerns on TV.
Survivors include his devoted and loving wife of 58 years, Lynetta Coffey O’Dell; two sons, Kevin O’Dell (Amy) and Bentley O’Dell (Tara); a brother, Curtis O’Dell of Hodgenville; a sister, Brenda House of Andersonville, TN; three grandchildren, Andy O’Dell, Hannah Mercado (Lucas), and Charli O’Dell; a great granddaughter, Veronica Eleanor Mercado and three step-grandchildren, Quinton Warriner (Kaitlyn), Desta Blakey (Devin), and Blakesley Selby (Alex).
Charles was preceded in death by three sisters, Elizabeth Russell, Reba Puckett, and Hazel Linderman.
In honoring Mr. O’Dell’s wishes all services will be private with burial in the Haven Hill Cemetery.
The family request that expressions of sympathy take the form of donations to Fairview Separate Baptist Church in care of Neal Dalton, treasurer at 375 W. Hwy 619 Russell Springs, KY 42642.
Stotts-Phelps-McQueary Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
