RubyLee (Parks) O’Dell passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by her loving family Saturday, March 1, at 88 years of age.

She was the fifth child of nine, and the last surviving sibling, is Douglas Bernard Parks.

Born on September 8, 1936, to Griffith Franklin Parks and Gladys Beatrice Mister Parks at her parents’ home in Galesville, MD.

She is survived by her daughters, and son; Selma Lee O’Dell-Humphreys, (Lowell Jr.), Laymon P. O’Dell (Kathleen),

Priscilla M. O’Dell (Terrence), Grandchildren; Nicole J. Hannigan, (Billy Joe), Erica L. Helmburg (Nicholas)

Great Grandchildren; Skyler, Gracee, Noah, Liam, and Archie, Great Great Grandchild; Cheyanna

RubyLee loved playing sports as a young child.  She played basketball at Anne Arundel High School, where she gained the nickname “Fireball” because of her speed and love of the game.  She was active in 4-H, loved Home Economics and modeled at Woolworth’s.  Her love for photography began with the purchase of a little Brownie camera. The memorial card of RubyLee wearing a combat helmet is a self-portrait.  This was her very own combat helmet as she was the coordinator for the women in base housing during the Cuban Crisis, (Bay of Pigs).  This passion has been passed on to her children, who cherish the photo albums she created over the decades, as well as creating their own photo histories.

RubyLee was scheduled to graduate from Anne Arundel High School at the age of 18, in May 1954.

Prior to graduation, she married the love of her life, James Archie O’Dell, on May 5, 1954, in Deale, MD.  They moved to Craig Air Force Base, in Selma, Alabama.  She worked as a hostess for one of the more prominent restaurants in Selma.

She and Archie were blessed with two children,

Selma Lee and Laymon.  Archie received orders for France and went ahead of the family to set up their home.  Once the family arrived in Europe, they toured many of the historical sites, such as Normandy, Omaha, Utah Beach, Rouen, Paris, the Louve, and Notre Dame.  Along with many countries, such as Austria, Germany, Belgium, Brussels, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.

RubyLee enjoyed taking care of her little family, and her “condo” in base housing. She loved being active in her Air Force community and church. While living in France, she and Archie raced micro midget cars. She raced when she was pregnant with their third child, Priscilla. Which was kept a secret because she wanted to race.   Many trips were made into the Black Forest for motorcycle engines and parts.

Archie received orders for Mississippi, and after settling in from their trip from Europe, they were blessed with their third child, Priscilla.

RubyLee was offered the position as NCO Hostess for the NCO club and enjoyed that very much.

Soon, they were on the move to Upper State New York. The base was being closed, which means this transfer was short. Archie worked second shift, so RubyLee planned outings with her little family to visit many museums and sights in the Adirondack mountains. The family had never seen so much snow, and the neatest memory for that season was building igloos!

While in New York, Archie received orders for Viet Nam. He asked to be stationed at Andrews Air Force Base, allowing his little family to be closer to other family members.

With a change of heart, Archie did not reenlist, and the family became tobacco farmers in Calvert County, and settled in Huntingtown.

As a result of getting married before graduating. RubyLee was never awarded her diploma.  She studied hard, and with the help of her family gained her GED.

RubyLee was saved as a young child at Galesville United Methodist Church, and continued to teach Sunday School, Bible School, as well as teaching her own children the love of Christ.

RubyLee lead an exciting life!  She left her home at age 18 to travel from the area she had always known, to follow the love of her life.

She was a 4-H Leader, Room Mother, Calvert County School Bus Driver for over 20 years.

She was an Avon Manager, Tupperware Manager, sold Rubbermaid, Stanley, Amway, and Fuller Brush.  She was the “Poultry Chair” at the Calvert County Fair for many years.

RubyLee also was a HELP Association Volunteer, with over 53 years’ service!

She retired as a Wal-Mart Associate from Prince Frederick Wal-Mart in 2019 with 25 years’ service.

She always had time to play softball with her daughters, watch her son motocross races, and always fishing with Archie and the children.

She had a great green thumb and could grow anything, anywhere, at any time.

She loved to sing, and one of her favorite bible verses was,

Psalm 98:4, “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth; make a loud noise, rejoice, and sing praise.” Summed up in her words, “Sing, make a joyful noise.”

RubyLee was always up for a Road Trip and did most of the driving until her children started driving.  She would then ride with them.  The most exciting trip involved RubyLee and all three children, each driving a car loaded with family and friends, to sightsee DC.  RubyLee was the leader who ran a yellow light, and each child followed her, so we did not lose her.  Needless to say, the policeman told us to turn around and get out of DC.  No tickets were issued.

After Archie’s Air Force career, she made many trips to Virginia with the family:  West Virginia, New York, Alaska, Montana, Kentucky, Thailand, Burma, and Japan.  We believe she touched all of the United States except Hawaii.      Our Mother was well traveled!

RubyLee’s family, Selma Lee, Laymon, and Priscilla, thank you so much for all the kindness shown to our mother over the years.  We also thank you for the cards, phone calls, texts, emails, visits, food, flowers, and a myriad of other things too numerous to name.

Contributions:

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to:

Faith and Freedom Quilts of Valor

12112 Double Tree Lane, Lusby, MD 20657

If using PayPal, wunderb@comcast.net,  add FFQOV to the message line.

Or

Waters Memorial United Methodist Church

Memorial Fund-In Memory of Rubylee O’Dell

5400 Mackall Road, St. Leonard, MD 20685