Odelle Finch

Maudie Odelle (Whitehead) Finch, 96, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Friday, November 27, 2020. She was joyously reunited with her high school sweetheart and husband, William Wright (Billy) Finch, who preceded her on July 30, 1996.

Odelle was born on September 25, 1924 to Lena Mae (Presson) and Horace Edward Whitehead, Sr. She is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Horace and Betty Whitehead; daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Bill Moody; two grandchildren and their spouses, Candise (Rusty) Farmer, Jon Paul (Erin) Moody, and two great-grandboys, Carter Wright Moody and Blair Thomas Moody.

Best known to most people as “Granny,” Odelle was raised in the Clifty Community where she attended the Clifty School. After graduating from E.W. Grove High School in 1943, she and Billy, married on July 15, 1944, in Whiteville, TN. Odelle then attended Tolliers Business College, where she refined her secretarial and bookkeeping skills, which she would use in years to come.  In 1945, Odelle and Billy’s daughter, Linda Carol, was born. Twenty-one years later, the small Finch family began to grow as Linda married William Elliott (Bill) Moody. In 1966, Bill’s service in the U.S. Navy moved Linda and him to Hawaii. One of the highlights of Odelle’s life was she and Billy visiting Linda and Bill on the islands. For a small town gal, who had never seen an airplane, this trip was a thrill, and Odelle often spoke of her family’s time together in Hawaii.

For Odelle, being a grandmother was one of life’s richest blessings.

She became the “world’s greatest Granny” to Candise LeAnn (1971) and Jon Paul (1976). Odelle and Billy looked forward to Friday nights, when Candise and Jon Paul would spend the night, enjoying fried pork chops and gravy and an evening full of games and fun. The joys of grandparenting for Odelle reached its climax with the addition of her great-grandboys: Carter and Blair, born to Jon Paul and Erin. For decades, Odelle enjoyed her earthly life as “Granny,” and now, with her eternal life having begun, she is united with four more great-grandbabies, children of Candise and Rusty.

Odelle was a devoted Christian who loved her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She served God devoutly. She and her family were charter members of New Hope Baptist Church, Paris. At New Hope, she faithfully taught the ladies’ Sunday School class for many, many years. Odelle was a woman of prayer. Even in her recent days of declining strength, her family and caregivers were amazed by her beautiful prayers offered to the Lord.

“Granny” was filled with pride for her family, and she dedicated her life to loving and supporting them.  Odelle’s family can never convey adequately the great love they have for “Granny” and the huge hole that will be left in their hearts.  They eagerly look forward to the day when they will all be reunited with family and friends. The family extends great appreciation to all of the ladies who cared for “Granny” over the past 7 years. At the time of her homegoing, Odelle was being lovingly cared for by Annetta Brewer, Gigi Cain, Lynn Steele, and Angie Tate.

Expressions of love and comfort may be extended to the family on Tuesday, December 1 ^st , at New Hope Baptist Church, 1380 Clifty Road, Paris. Visitation will be from 11:00am-1:00pm, with a celebration of life following at 1:00pm. Members of her family will be sharing. Bro. Glynn Orr, pastor of New Hope, will officiate a private burial service at Memorial Cemetery.  Serving as pallbearers are Rusty Farmer, Bill Moody, Carter Moody, Blair Moody, Barry Farmer, John Childers, and Jim Sexton. Honorary pallbearers are Al Hixon, Larry Hunt, Billy Lankford, Glen Loy, and Bob Miller. Ridgeway Funeral Home is handling arrangements and is making the service available online. To view, visit Ridgeway Funeral Home on YouTube.