Janice Carol Odell

As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart. Proverbs 27:19

Mom’s life was a true testament to her heart. Her heart for God,  her family, her friends,

and her ministry. All things she was in life reflected her  heart, full of love and led by

God.

Janice Carol Odell (Nunley), born January 5, 1941, left this  earthly home for her

heavenly home on July 7, 2023. Preceded in death by her parents, Claude and Inez

Nunley, her brothers Richard and Larry Nunley, and infant son,  Mark Allen Odell.

Survived by her loving husband Charley Odell, three loving  daughters, Diane (Leon)

Brisco, Dawn (John) Palumbo, and Dana (Robert) Gonzalez; five  grandchildren, Jeremy

(Debbie) Lopez, Amber Pickett, Jennifer (Damien) Evinger,  Jessica Kafka, and Esabella

Gonzalez; and eight great-grandchildren; her sister, Claudia;  and many extended family

members and friends.

Jan exhibited excellence in everything she did, family life, work life, and ministry. She

was recognized for her performance and held in high esteem with  her employers

throughout the years. She was regarded as a wise advisor and  compassionate

leader/teacher/preacher as she worked alongside her husband in  ministry to the Native

American community. As a pianist and vocalist, she touched many  and displayed a

heart of worship through her music. She had an uncanny ability  to hear a song and play

it on the piano without reading a single note. The beautiful  sound of her worship will be

remembered.

Mom’s family was the light of her life. She gave her whole heart  to her husband,

daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. There was  never a doubt of her love

for all of us and she showed it in so many ways. She loved to  cook for her family, and

she was a tremendous cook. The holidays brought her so much joy, from the time in the

kitchen to the gathering of her favorite people. Mom loved  playing games when the

family gathered and was a master at most games. Mom’s gentle,  soft nature created a

warm atmosphere wherever she was and sometimes disguised her  quick wit and

prankster side. She loved to laugh and prompt laughter with a  one-liner or a comedic

philosophy. She was also fiercely protective of her people and  spent many hours

praying for God’s shield around us. Mom was the epitome of a  mother and follower of

Jesus.

My heart echoes the lyrics from the song Because You Loved Me,  “The world is a better

place because of you. I’m everything I am because you loved me.”