Odell William Wade

Odell William Wade, age 90, of Alto, Georgia passed away on Thursday, April 14, 2011, at his residence following an extended illness. Mr. Wade was born in Alto, Georgia on July 7, 1920, to the late Mr. and Mrs. Sherman and Ola Gailey Wade. In addition to his parents he was also preceded in death by his wife, Zinebell "Bell" Ausburn Wade, daughter, Linda Pritchett, brothers, Cody, Isaac, Artist, and Vance Wade, and a sister, Elsie Holcomb. Mr. Wade attended Crossroads Baptist Church in Alto, GA. He was a United States World War II Army Veteran, having proudly served his country. Mr. Wade served as Private First Class, Company B, 149th Infantry where he received a Purple Heart, a Victory Medal, and a American Theater Ribbon. He was a retired employee of Habersham Plantation where he worked as a carpenter for many years. Mr. Wade was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, and friend. He also provided a loving home for many foster children. Mr. Wade loved gardening and wood working. Survivors include, daughters and sons-in-law, Brenda and Doug Ayers, Annette and Tommy Free, and Jeanette and Johnny Wade, all of Alto, GA; son and daughter-in-law, Douglas and Darlene Wade, Alto, GA; sisters, Joyce Jordan, Alto, GA, Irene Pratchard, Cornelia, GA, Imagene Stancil, Alto, GA, and Sandra Poole, Baldwin, GA; grandchildren, Bradley Ayers, Donna Clark, Tonya Chitwood, Jeff Pritchett, Christopher Pritchett, Pepper Adams, Heath Free, Shannon Free, Jennifer Brock and Roxann Bennett; 14 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, April 16, 2011, from the Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin, GA with Rev. Kenneth McEntire, Rev. Ray Davis and Rev. Roy Lee Mitchell officiating. Interment will follow in the Crossroads Baptist Church Cemetery with full military honors provided by the Habersham County American Legion Post # 84, Rabun County DAV Chapter 15, The Grant Reeves VFW Post # 7720, and the Georgia National Guard. The family will receive friends at Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Friday, April 15, 2011. Arrangements are in the care of Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin, GA.