Thresa Jean (Melton) O’Dell, age 93, fought the good fight for the last time on Saturday, January 11, 2020, as a quiet snow fell and the red birds gathered outside her window. She was born on August 18, 1926, in Celina, Texas, to Alta Tennessee (Helms) and Claude C. Melton. Thresa married the love of her life, Ralph Lafaytte O’Dell, in Denton, Texas, on June 13, 1943, and they were blessed with three children.
Thresa was the ultimate homemaker: cooking, sewing, using her green thumb to grow many flowers and plants. After her children were raised, she worked at The Bridal Shop and Dillard’s in Waco, Texas. Thresa was a member of First United Methodist Church, Celina, and volunteered many years with Methodist Women’s Society, PTAs in Dallas, Temple, Lubbock and Celina Fidelis Inter Se Club. She also spent many hours with her sisters playing cards-mainly Hand & Foot. Thresa never forgot anyone’s birthday or anniversary-sending cards to friends and family year after year. She loved her grandchildren, making sure they were well fed and the door was always open for their friends. Thresa was a very humble & genteel woman but also quick witted and knew just when to fill the room with laughter many times with a funny face or snappy comeback! She is described by many as kind, sweet, gracious, a saint, and a true Southern lady. To know her was to love her and in turn be loved by her. Thresa will be dearly missed.
Thresa is survived by her husband, Ralph O’Dell; daughters, Pam Allison and husband, Rob, of Lubbock, Texas, and Sandra Coffey and husband, Roger, of Dodd City, Texas; son, Chipper O’Dell of Waxahachie, Texas; grandchildren, Matt Allison, Daniel O’Dell, Jason (Emily) Callahan, Mandy (Josh) Brewster, Hope O’Dell, and Joshua (Anna) Callahan; step-grandchildren, Roger Coffey Jr. and Brittany (Chris) Sweeney; great-grandchildren, Dylan, Kali, Noah, Emerson, Jennings, CJ and Bennett; sisters, Maurine Miller, Dauriece Perry, Marjorie Kelly, Barbara George; brothers-in-law, Ken (Claudette) O’Dell and Bob (Ruby) White; as well as numerous loving cousins, nieces, and nephews and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Claude and Alta Melton; step-grandson, Clay Coffey; and sisters, Nellie Hawn and Mary Jo McCarty.
The family invites friends to a visitation at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow, 109 South Oklahoma, Celina, Texas, on Tuesday, January 14, 2020, from 6:00-8:00 pm. Funeral service will be held at First United Methodist Church, 12465 FM 428, Celina, Texas, on Wednesday, January 15, 2020, at 10:30 am, with Reverend John Baldwin officiating. Interment follows at Cottage Hill Cemetery in Celina.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to:
- First United Methodist Church Celina
- 12465 FM 428
- Celina, Texas 75009
OR
- Inter Se Club Celina
- c/o Bobbie Mills
- 8900 Glen Garden
- McKinney, Texas 75072
OR your favorite charity.