The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Oda “Odie” Churchill Bell, 89, of Orange, Texas, passed away on February 13, 2024, at Stonewood Senior Living in Orange. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, February 19, 2024, at Claybar Funeral Home in Bridge City. Officiating will be Father Michael Strother. Burial will follow at Granger Cemetery – Duncan Woods. Visitation will begin prior to the service at 12:00 p.m., Monday, February 19, 2024, at Claybar Funeral Home in Bridge City. Born in Washington, North Carolina, on October 20, 1934, he was the son of James W. Bell and Dora M. (Pryor) Bell. Odie served with honor and distinction in the United States Navy for over 20 years. He was a disabled veteran who proudly defended our country. After the Navy, Odie started working as the Assistant Chief Engineer for Mid-Jefferson Hospital. Odie was an active member of St. Helen Catholic Church and found joy in being part of the Third Age Group at St. Helen's. He had a remarkable talent for fixing cars and willingly lent a helping hand to anyone who needed their vehicle repaired. Odie found joy in spending time with his family and treasured every moment he shared with them. He will be deeply missed by all those who had the pleasure of knowing him. He is preceded in death by his parents, James and Dora Bell; wife, Irma Jean Bell; children; brothers; sisters; brothers-in-law; and sisters-in-law. He is survived by his nieces, nephews, and other family and friends. The family would like to extend a special thank you to John Toney and staff at Stonewood Senior Living and Dustin Fraser with Stonewood Hospice. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Wounded Warrior Project at https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/.