Odell Wade (4-14-11)

ALTO - Odell William Wade, 90, died on Thursday, April 14, 2011, at his residence following an extended illness.

He was born in Alto on July 7, 1920, to the late Mr. and Mrs. Sherman and Ola Gailey Wade. Mr. Wade was preceded in death by his wife, Zinebell “Bell” Ausburn Wade; daughter, Linda Pritchett; brothers, Cody, Isaac, Artist, and Vance Wade; and a sister, Elsie Holcomb. He attended Crossroads Baptist Church in Alto and was a United States World War II Army Veteran, having proudly served his country. Mr. Wade served as Private First Class, Company B, 149th Infantry where he received a Purple Heart, a Victory Medal, and an American Theater Ribbon. He was a retired employee of Habersham Plantation where he worked as a carpenter for many years. Mr. Wade was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, and friend. He also provided a loving home for many foster children. Mr. Wade loved gardening and woodworking.

Survivors include, daughters and sons-in-law, Brenda and Doug Ayers, Annette and Tommy Free, and Jeanette and Johnny Wade, all of Alto; son and daughter-in-law, Douglas and Darlene Wade, Alto; sisters, Joyce Jordan, Alto, Irene Pratchard, Cornelia, Imagene Stancil, Alto, and Sandra Poole, Baldwin; grandchildren, Bradley Ayers, Donna Clark, Tonya Chitwood, Jeff Pritchett, Christopher Pritchett, Pepper Adams, Heath Free, Shannon Free, Jennifer Brock and Roxann Bennett; 14 great-grandchildren; and 4 great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., on Saturday, April 16, from the Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, with the Revs. Kenneth McEntire, Ray Davis and Roy Lee Mitchell officiating. Interment will follow in the Crossroads Baptist Church Cemetery with full military honors provided by the Habersham County American Legion Post # 84, Rabun County DAV Chapter 15, The Grant Reeves VFW Post # 7720, and the Georgia National Guard.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, April 15.

Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin, is in charge of arrangements.