James Odell Lail

James Odell Lail, 80, of Burke Memorial Park Rd. in Valdese, NC went home to be with the Lord on Monday, March 2, 2009 at his residence following a period of declining health. He was born October 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 #1.Odell is survived by his daughter, Patsy Ann Lail Smith of Valdese; brothers, Hoover Lail of Connelly Springs, NC, Eugene Lail of Kings Mountain, NC, and Eddie Lail of Hickory, NC; sisters, Beatrice Mull of Connelly Springs, Shirley Detter of Hildebran, NC, Alberta Crawley of Morganton, and Marilyn Shook of Claremont, NC; 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 2:00 p.m., Thursday, March 5, 2009 at Smart’s Grove Baptist Church with Rev. Charles Lewis officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Sossoman Funeral Home where the body will remain until placed in the church thirty minutes before the funeral hour. Memorial contributions may be made to Smart’s Grove Baptist Church Pantry Fund, 5290 Mineral Springs Mountain Rd., Connelly Springs, NC 28612.