Odie Kinsolving, 87 years and seven months old, of Charleston peacefully departed this earthly life at home on Saturday November 12, 2011 with his family by his side. He courageously endured surgery, hospitalization and radiation treatment in his battle with cancer. He loved to sing praises to the Lord and has entered his heavenly home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Odie was born on April 7, 1924 and was the seventh child of Walter Scott Kinsolving, Sr. And Edna Crowder Kinsolving. He was the last of ten brothers and sisters. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Rev. Louis , Walter Jr., Matthew, Neal, James, and a baby brother, sisters, Helen, Ruby, and Ruth. He was also preceded in death by his much loved Shih Tuzu, Buffy Rose.
He was a lifelong resident of Kanawha County, growing up in Ward. He graduated in 1943 from East Bank High School, where he was president of the Carbon Chemistry Club. On September 29, 1950, he married his sweetheart Mildred. He was an operator and shift mechanic at Dupont Chemical Plant in Belle with 43 years of service.
Odie accepted Jesus as his Savior when he was 26 years old. He lived his life as a Christian and attended the Bible Center Church for many years. He prayed the Lord would allow him to have his 87th birthday and he was humbled and blessed by more than 100 birthday cards. The family would like to thank the pastors and congregations of Alum Creek Independent Missionary Baptist Church, First Baptist of St. Albans, and Mount Calvary Baptist Church of Greenville, South Carolina for their continued prayers and Christian love.
Odie was a faithful husband, daddy, granddaddy, great-granddaddy, uncle, brother, son, and friend. He was always busy with his hands, fixing things that needed to be repaired, and helping others. He lovingly provided and sacrificed for his family. The WVU Mountaineers were his favorite team–football and basketball. He loved the blue and gold! He always enjoyed filling the birdfeeder watching the birds and working in his garden.
Odie is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years Mildred (Moore) Kinsolving, daughters, Ann of Charleston; Mary Beth (John) Hiller, of Taylors, South Carolina; son, Athel (Kelly), of Alum Creek. He has eight grandchildren-Jonathan (Laura), Joshua, Johanna (Daniel) Ellis, Joy and Justin Hiller, Bethany Simmons, Lacy and Caleb Kinsolving, and two great-grandchildren, Annie and Peter Ellis. He is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, friends, and DuPont buddies.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, November 16, 2011 at 1:00 pm at Curry Funeral Home 2097 Childress Road. Alum Creek with Pastor Frank Chapman and his friend Bryant Bowman officiating. Visitation will be from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm prior to the funeral service. Burial will be held at Elk Hills Memorial Park in Big Chimney.
The family would like to express heartfelt thanks to Dr. Ed Hamrick Jr., Camc Memorial Hospital, the nurses of Three North and Three South, Dr. Arun Nagarajan, Charleston Radiology staff, and Dr. Prem Raja, Sam and Fruth Pharmacy Express for the compassion and care shown during Odie’s illness. The family would also like to express deepest gratitude to the Hospice nurses and staff who came to care for him. They have been a source of encouragement and support making it possible for Daddy to remain at home until his homegoing.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice Care, 1606 Kanawha Boulevard, West Charleston, WV 25387.