O'Dell Sumrall

O’Dell Davis Sumrall died peacefully in her sleep May 4th, 2017. She was 101. She spent her last day on earth visiting with family, doing her exercise routines and enjoying springtime in Mississippi. Born September 6, 1915 to Marvin and Jennie Davis, she grew up in Rose Hill and moved to Laurel when she was 16. She got her first job in the beauty shop at the Gaddis Department Store in downtown Laurel and joined the First United Methodist Church. The following year, O’Dell met J. Noel Sumrall in front of the historic Strand Theater in Laurel. She knew he was “the one” from the moment they met. O’Dell and Noel married after a short courtship, had four children and ran Sumrall Funeral Home until 1959. They were active members of the First United Methodist Church – a church that remained near and dear to O’Dell’s heart throughout her life. She was a pianist at the church for more than 60 years. When Noel died in 1969, O’Dell started a career at Laurel General Hospital, with her youngest child still living at home. She retired from the hospital at the age of 70. O’Dell treasured her family, her friends, her church and the City of Laurel. Her faith was her guiding light. She was kind, adventurous, ever-curious and remarkably tenacious about leading an active life. She rafted whitewater, though she could not swim, and surveyed the destruction of the Mt. St. Helens’ volcano from a helicopter. At 99, she dove into technology, learning to use an iPad to peruse Facebook and read text messages from family and friends every day. She is survived by her son John (Suzy), her daughter, Merris, her daughter-in-law, Linda, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, J. Noel Sumrall, her daughter, Margaret Dillard, and her son, Jim Sumrall. Funeral services will be held Sunday, May 7th at 2:30 PM at Memory Chapel in Laurel with burial at Lake Park Cemetery. Reverend Mark Anderson, of First United Methodist Church, will officiate. Visitation will begin at 12:30. The family has requested no flowers but a gift can be made in her honor to her beloved church, the First United Methodist Church in Laurel.

O'Dell Sumrall

September 6, 1915 - May 4, 2017