James Lail

James Odell Lail, 80, of Burke Memorial Park Road in Valdese, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, March 2, 2009, at his residence following a period of declining health. He was born Oct. 22, 1927, in Burke County, and was a son of the late Ernest Willie Lail and Dessie "Belle" Cook Lail. Odell was a member of Smart's Grove Baptist Church and a retired employee of Drexel Heritage Plant No. 1. Odell is survived by his daughter, Patsy Ann Lail Smith of Valdese; brothers, Hoover Lail of Connelly Springs, Eugene Lail of Kings Mountain and Eddie Lail of Hickory; sisters, Beatrice Mull of Connelly Springs, Shirley Detter of Hildebran, Alberta Crawley of Morganton and Marilyn Shook of Claremont; grandchildren, Kendra Buff, Crystal Lopez-Leon and Jennifer Montejo; seven great-grandchildren; and two special caregivers, John Coche and Ralph Smith. In addition to his parents, Odell was preceded in death by his wife, Cinderella Baker Lail; a brother, David Lail; and a sister, Alene Fredell. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Smart's Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. Charles Lewis officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Sossoman Funeral Home where the body will remain until placed in the church 30 minutes before the funeral hour. Memorial contributions may be made to Smart's Grove Baptist Church Pantry Fund, 5290 Mineral Springs Mountain Road, Connelly Springs, NC 28612. Condolences at www.sossomanfuneralservice.com.