Ruth P. O'Dell

Ruth Perrin O'Dell, of Newport, passed away, Sunday, May 29, 2011 at her home surrounded by her loving family. Ruth was a graduate of Cocke County High School, Knoxville Business College and TN School of Beauty, and retired from Cocke County Baptist Hospital with 20 plus years of service. Ruth was an avid Tennessee Vol fan having followed the Vols since 1939. Now she can finally have peace and follow the Tennessee Vols and the Lady Vols in spirit forever and watch through the peep holes in Heaven, we will miss you terribly. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Zenna and Gladys Perrin; brother, Mike Perrin; sisters, Eileen Perrin and Evelyn Perrin; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Mary and Walter Murr, Ella and Frank Shropshire, Bonnie and George Spradling, Mayme and Ty Cobb; brothers and sisters-in-law, William and Desiree O'Dell, J. B. and Anne O'Dell, Harding and Dorothy O'Dell, Sam and Ruth O'Dell; brothers-in-law, Ed Justus and Bill Gray; father-in-law and mother-in-law, James Barry and Rillie O'Dell. Ruth is survived by her husband of 61 years, Tom O'Dell; daughter, Susie O'Dell of Newport; daughter and son-in-law, Joy and Steve Large of Newport; grandchildren and their wives, Jeff and Tracy Large, Andy and Amy Austin; great grandchildren, Landan Large and Alexa Austin; step great grandchildren, Kelly, Steven and Whitney Laws all of Newport; sisters and brothers-in-law, Carolyn and David Comer, of Knoxville, Frankie and Jim Hicks; sisters-in-law, Starr Perrin, all of Knoxville; Bessie Justus and Pearl Gray both of Newport. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and many friends who will all miss her very much. Please come and visit with the family and share in the Celebration of Ruth's life here on earth and her new beginning in heaven. The family will receive friends from 6-8 pm Monday, May 30, 2011 and the funeral service will follow at 8:00 pm, in Manes Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Scott Gorrell officiating. Burial will be 11:00 am, Tuesday, May 31, 2011 in Union Cemetery. The family would like to say a special thank you to, Tammy Francis, RN owner of Smoky Mountain Home Health and Hospice, Sheila Carey, RN, Melanie Vassar, RN, Vera Norton, CNA, and Elena Obryon, CNA, who were Ruth's Angels here on Earth. They brought her love and sunshine each visit. They stood by the family and gave them strength when they had no more. The Smoky Mountain Hospice Volunteers brought and sent flowers that made Ruth smile. They all sang and prayed with the family and no matter how rough it got they stayed and lifted us up, also a special thank you to, Scott Gorrell, Dr. David McConnell, Dr. James Williams and the late Dr. Kenneth Hill who the family will forever be grateful to. In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made in her memory to: Providence Baptist Church, P. O. Box 881, Newport, TN 37822, or Friends of the Animal Shelter, 350 Pennell Lane, Newport, TN 37821 (for Rolling Rescue) due to her love for animals. Family and friends may sign the guest register on line at: www.manesfuneralhome.com. Manes Funeral Home in charge