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 Odell Ritchie DREXEL Odell Ira Ritchie, 81, of Drexel, died Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013. Born in Burke County, Dec. 11, 1931, he was the son of the late Ira Paris Ritchie and Dovie Georgia Hoyle Ritchie. Odell was a 1950 graduate of Drexel High School and was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Korean Conflict. He attended Appalachian State Teachers College and was a graduate of East Tennessee State University. Following his graduation, he spent four years at Drexel High School as an Industrial Arts teacher, assistant football coach, and track coach. He then left the high school and began his career with the N.C. Vocational Rehabilitation System, specifically the facility on Enola Road. He retired as the business manager in Oct., 1987. Odell devoted his life to serving the disabled citizens of this area. He was a member of Drexel First Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, usher, Sunday school teacher, a member of the Building and Grounds Committee, and numerous other committees. Odell also served as vice president of the Drexel Community Fair for many years and the 2007 Drexel Fair was dedicated in his honor. He was also a past Drexel Citizen of the Year, a Drexel Community Club Member and past president, a Drexel Town Alderman, was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by the state of NC, a Master Woodworker, and a member and officer of the Drexel American Legion Post. He was a member and past president of the Drexel Elementary PTO. Odell is in the East Burke High School Athletic Hall of Fame and, along with Warren Wetmore, designed Danny Williams Stadium. He loved performing as a clown, along with his wife, Margaret, at schools, charity events, and community events. He was a reading partner at Drexel Elementary School and performed as a magician at the several elementary schools. Odell was also an accomplished cake baker and decorator, and he made candies and desserts for family and friends. He was an avid fisherman. Being a jack of all trades, he was always willing to help. A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, Odell is survived by his wife of 61 years, Margaret Baker Ritchie, of the home; a son, Danny Ritchie and wife, Mary Anne, of Drexel; daughter, Kim R. Baker and husband, Greg, of Drexel and Lisa R. Ramsey and husband, Brian, of Morganton; grandchildren, Leslie R. Taylor and husband, Kaleb, Natalie B. Crouse and husband, Jordan, Stephen I. Ritchie, Bryant R. Baker and wife, Pamela, Aaron M. Dale, and Madison Ramsey; and great-grandchildren, Zane Taylor, Zoey Taylor, and Ava Ritchie. In addition to his parents, Odell was preceded in death by a brother, Ralph Ritchie; and sisters, Geneva Hoyle and Mavon Burgess. The funeral will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 2, at Drexel First Baptist Church, with the Revs. Tito Madrazo and Bill Abrams officiating. Burial will follow in Burke Memorial Park, with military honors provided by the N.C. National Guard. The family will receive friends at the church, from 12:30 to 2 p.m. prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made to Drexel First Baptist Church Building and Grounds Fund, P.O. Box 308, Drexel, NC 28619 or to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Rd., Valdese, NC 28690. Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements. Condolences may be made online at www. sossomanfuneralservice. com.
Published in The News Herald from January 31 to February 1, 2013
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