Mr. Harold William O'Dell, age 83 of Ellijay, passed away on Wednesday, October 11th, 2023 at the Grandview Health Care Center in Jasper.

Mr. O'Dell was born on September 18th, 1940 in Murphy, North Carolina to the late Howard William O'Dell and the late Stella Mills O'Dell. In addition to his parents, Mr. O'Dell is preceded in death by his loving wife, Carolyn Chastain O'Dell.

Harold was a hard-working man who loved the outdoors. Farming and gardening were his passions, and driving his dump truck and hauling gravel for so many people in the county, was a job he really enjoyed. He was a kind and loving man who always wanted to help others. Harold was an active member and deacon of Ebenezer Baptist Church. He loved the Lord, his family, and his church family. Harold never met a stranger. In the words of his loving wife of 50 years, before she passed in 2017, she wrote. "You are such a kind man, humble before God, always wanting God to lead and direct your actions daily. Desiring to be a light to the people in the world. Giving words of comfort and cheer. Honest. Talking to people about their salvation. You are a good man, showing yourself as friendly to others. I'm glad you're my husband and my best friend. I love you." Carolyn

Harold wasn't just a man he was a man who loved everyone and he showed it in his daily life.

Survivors include his daughters and sons-in-law, Christy (Chris) O'Dell of Ellijay and Stacey (Brad) Stewart of Ellijay; one brother and sister-in-law, Max (Judy) O'Dell; 7 sisters and brothers-in-law, Geraldine Lockaby, JoAnn Segars, Joyce Stewart, Carolyn (Mather) Swinford, Wanda Benefield, Judy (Jerry) Wilson, Reba (Ronnie) Burger; 2 grandchildren, Caleb (Emily) Bracken and Braley Stewart, and one great-grandchild, Reece Harold Bracken also survive.

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, October 16th, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. from the Ebenezer Baptist Church with Rev. Joey Phillips, Rev. Russell Burt, Rev. Michael Cantrell, and Rev. Sam Rickett officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The gentlemen serving as pallbearers will include: Caleb Bracken, Chris Belyeu, Brad Stewart, Ronald West, Wayne Holt, and Derrick O'Dell, and one honorary pallbearer, Max O'Dell. Music will be provided by Rev. Robby Chastain, Tracy Manis, and class singing by the Ebenezer Baptist Church and Oak Grove Baptist Church.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, October 15th, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and again on Monday, October 16th, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Food and flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to the Ebenezer Baptist Church Cemetery Fund in care of Branson Chastain 84 River Ridge Ellijay, GA 30536.

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord; and delighteth in his way.

Psalm 37:23

Bernhardt Funeral Home of Ellijay is in charge of these arrangements.