Jaymie L. O'Dell

To view a live stream broadcast of Jaymie's celebration of life service, please click on the following link: https://boxcast.tv/view/jaymie-odell-funeral-987693

Jaymie Lynn O’Dell, 69, of McPherson, KS, unexpectedly passed away to her Heavenly home on Wednesday, September 1, 2021, at McPherson Hospital. She was a dōTERRA Wellness Consultant and owned Lavish Essential Oils, LLC. She was also an interior designer.

Jaymie was born on December 19, 1951, in Pueblo, CO, the daughter of Chester Arthur and Rose Amelia (Moore) Schmidt. She graduated from Aldine High School in Houston, TX and later from McPherson College in 1999 with an Interior Design degree. On December 19, 1970, she was united in marriage to David A. O’Dell at the Church of God in McPherson. This union was blessed with two daughters, Crystal and Rozalynn.

She was a member of Countryside Covenant Church where she was active in Bible study and small groups. She was a volunteer for Oak Harbor Cottages and a member of McPherson Master Gardeners Club and former member of Sweet Adelines. She was also involved with the Apples of Gold Ministry and was a Kansas City BBQ Master Judge.

Survivors include: her loving husband of 50 years, David of the home; two daughters, Crystal Clobes of Hutchinson, KS and Rozalynn Frey (Ken) of Hesston, KS; six grandchildren, Acacia Clobes, Adelaide Clobes, Lilly Smith, Cooper Frey, Carter Frey, and Caris Frey; four siblings, Amelia Patrie (Chuck) of West Lafayette, IN, Richard Schmidt (Denise) of Spring Branch, TX, Calvin Schmidt of Hockley, TX, and Drew Schmidt (Glenda) of Montgomery, TX; a brother-in-law, Danny O’Dell of McPherson, KS; and many extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Friday, September 10, 2021, at Countryside Covenant Church. A graveside service will be held at 9:00 AM, Saturday, September 11, at McPherson Cemetery with a Celebration of Life service to follow at 10:30 AM at Countryside Covenant Church with Rev. Jon Black officiating. To view a live stream broadcast of the service, please click on the following link: https://boxcast.tv/view/jaymie-odell-funeral-987693

Memorial donations may be given to Oak Harbor Cottages, Countryside Covenant Church, or Gideons International in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460.

More detailed obituary:

Jaymie was the first of five children born to Chester A. and Rose Amelia (Moore) Schmidt. Rose and Chet initially made their home in Greensburg, Kansas when they married in 1950. While Rose was expecting Jaymie, Chet was inducted into the Army and completed basic training at Ft. Riley, KS. Rose went to stay with her sister, a nurse, in Pueblo, CO, and Jaymie was born there. Chet graduated basic training at Ft. Riley and drove through the night to Pueblo, arriving just after Jaymie was born December 19, 1951. After a short Christmas visit in Pueblo, the little family made their way to Ft. Hood, near Killeen TX. By the time Jaymie was eight days old, she had traveled in four states! Chet finished his two years of military duty, and the family returned to Greensburg in October 1953.

Jaymie became a big sister when Amelia was born in April 1953. Her brother Richard added to her big sister experience in 1955. Her role as oldest sibling grew when Calvin was born in 1959 and Drew was born in 1963. Jaymie took her role as big sister seriously. In fact, as children, both Amelia and Richard believed Jaymie was a bit too bossy whenever their parents were absent for a few hours, so they often conspired against her and did whatever they wanted, because after all, “Who put Jaymie in charge?” Of course, Calvin and Drew were enough younger they expected someone else would be in charge. In a recent light-hearted discussion between Jaymie, Amelia, and Richard, Jaymie stated she distinctly remembered that Mom and Dad had indeed put her “in charge”—but Amelia and Richard continue to maintain that nobody told them.

Chet moved the family to various Kansas communities including WaKeeney, Hesston, and Ellinwood while Jaymie was a preschooler and in primary grade school. Moving to McPherson in 1961, Chet worked as the meat department manager at Eldon’s IGA on North Main Street. The Schmidt’s initially lived on Euclid Street and became acquainted with an “older” neighbor boy, Norman Burgess and his friend, David O’Dell. Little did Jaymie know that this would turn out to be important to her later in life.

Chet and Rose began attending the First Christian Church of God in McPherson, perhaps the most significant part of Jaymie’s upbringing. The congregation there provided security and belonging to Jaymie and introduced her to a relationship with Jesus that remained throughout her life. In 1966, the family moved to Lindsborg. In 1968, the Schmidt’s moved to Assaria. The family continued to attend church in McPherson despite these moves.

Jaymie pursued her interest and talent in music as a teenager. She began taking voice and piano lessons, often paying for these out of her own pocket money. She sang in the Bethany College performance of Handel’s Messiah for 2 years while still in high school.

In 1969, David O’Dell and several other college students began attending the McPherson Church of God. Jaymie and David met once again, and this time knowing each other seemed significant. Although Chester moved his family to Houston Texas in the fall of 1969, David continued to seek a relationship with Jaymie, visiting her in Houston for Thanksgiving, January 1970 and attending her high school graduation in May of 1970. Jaymie then returned to McPherson and made the community her permanent home.

Upon returning to McPherson, she was a waitress at The White Swan Café now known as Neighbors Café. She loved working there as she became friends with many customers. A few years after starting a family she became manager of credit union at the refinery, COOP Credit Union. She thoroughly enjoyed working with the employees of the refinery and the various credit union committees. She was administrative assistant at the Presbyterian Church. She returned home to raise two wonderful (most of the time) daughters, Crystal and Rozalynn. Some of their friends became like daughters, especially Jill. (unofficially their third daughter). The First Baptist Church asked her to “fill-in” as a temporary administrative assistant as they searched for a permanent replacement. As Dave reflects, “A few months after Jaymie started working at the church, invasive cancer was found in me. Jaymie would often reflect even recently, how that church "emotionally supported" (including many prayers and friendships) her during those several months of surgeries, chemotherapy, etc. while raising two daughters and a deathly ill husband.”

At the three churches they attended Jaymie has been involved in all aspects of music, Bible Studies, Women’s Ministry, teaching youth, youth group leader, lead “Apples of Gold” a “hands on” study of scripture and cooking especially for younger moms. Additionally, she has prepared meals for Celebrate Recovery, a ministry very dear to her heart.

Jaymie loved music. The “His By Grace” quartet had many performances throughout Kansas. Also, she thoroughly loved singing in Sweet Adeline’s. This included not only regular performances but also several competitions. She really enjoyed the “after glows” and other social times with the group. Dave writes, “I will miss hearing singing and playing the piano”.

Jaymie eventually finished college with a degree in Interior Design. She helped many, many families not only with the designs, furniture, window coverings, etc. but also, found this to be a ministry. Often times she would say she would only be gone a short time and upon her return hours later she would share that the job only took a short time…however, (Dave writes—"due to her gift of discernment”) she found the customer would want to talk. This often led to Jaymie giving her testimony and being an encourager. Now, she is in Heaven and seeing the most beautiful, glorious colors she never dreamt.

Both Jaymie and David enjoyed antique and classic cars. Soon after they married, they bought a 1930 Model A. Then they bought a 1927 Dodge Brothers. As years passed, they turned their attention to Thunderbirds. At last count they had owned five Thunderbirds including one they had totally restored. Because of Jaymie’s love of cars, David decided it best that she be the vehicle buyer in the family, and he would just “come along for the ride.”

Jaymie was thrilled to live in the country for the past 10 years. She designed and was the general contractor for the house. She loved her flower gardens, trees, pond, etc. Sometimes she would retreat to her shop to refinish, repair furniture, and pray. The current (partially finished) project is a greenhouse. She was thrilled to have Grandson Cooper work with her on this project.

She loved her grandchildren who have called her nana. As Dave writes “When they called her nana Jaymie always swelled with love and gratitude!” To Nana’s grandkids…..physically nanna is gone…but nana will be always available through Christ Jesus to be with you. Her sayings, her love, her devotion, her teasing, and her prayers will be in your minds all of your lives. Press on in your life as nana would urge you to do so…pursue your goals always in the context of following Jesus Christ. Both papa and nana are so happy that each of you have accepted Jesus as your Savior. We will be united as a family in Heaven one day.

The family thanks each of you for your prayers, love, and encouragement during this time. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Jaymie L. O'Dell please visit our Sympathy Store.