Odell Minter

Christine Odell Minter, 93 departed this life Thursday, May 8, 2014. Mrs. Minter was the widow of the late Frank Minter. Mrs. Minter was preceded in death by a son, William Gary Minter; father, Willie Saynes; mother, Firl Saynes White; stepfather, Tom White; a very special grandmother, Minnie Smith Saynes; brother, W. L. Saynes; sisters, Willie Jo Morrison, Minnie Ella Goforth; stepsisters, Hattie Roberts and Mamie Slattton Mrs. Minter is survived by her son, Dwight Minter and Gloria, Jasper; daughter and son-in-law, Pam and Tommy Ellison, Marietta, Ga.; grandchildren, Beth Minter, Nashville, John Minter and Shannon, Matthew Minter and Tammy, of Jasper, Stephanie Ellison Waters, White, Ga; great-grandchildren, Jeb Bryan, and Alex Bryan, Nashville, Blaine Waters and Blaire Waters, White, Ga., Ben Minter, Spencer Minter, Sidney Minter and Max Minter, Jasper, Tenn.; one great-great-grandson and several nieces and nephews. Mrs. Minter was a member of the First Baptist Church Jasper, where she served as assistant teacher of the Fidelis Sunday School class. She was a former member of the Whitwell First Baptist Church where she taught the Friendship Sunday School Class, a member of the choir and served on various committees including the Building Committee of the new church, where all committee members' names are placed in the cornerstone. She was the first woman to be elected County Clerk of Marion County. Mrs. Minter was past worthy Matron of the Sequatchie Valley Chapter Order of the Eastern Star, past president of the American Womens Association, where she received the Woman of the Year award in 1978. She was a charter member of the Ladies Aux of the Jasper VFW. She and Frank served as Grand Marshall at the 2000 Labor Day Parade in Whitwell; they also received the Paul Turner Democrat Award of the Year2003. She was owner and operator of the Artistic Beauty Salon in Whitwell, Tenn. Funeral services will be at the Jasper First Baptist Church, at 2 p.m. CDTSunday, May 11, 2014, with Brother Ron Namanny, Brother Herschel Powell and Brother Kevin Knight officiating. Pallbearers will be James Phillips, Brad Carter, David Rankin, Jay Blevins, John Shelley and Glen Moore. Honorary pallbearers will be the Fidelis Sunday School Class. Interment will follow in Whitwell Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 3 until 9 p.m. CDT today, May 10, 2014. Memorial contributions may be made to the Marion County Food Bank or the Jasper First Baptist Church Building Fund or the charity of your choice. To send online condolences visit www.tatefh.com Arrangements by Tate Funeral Home, LLC, Japer, Tenn., 423-942-9500.