Odie Lee Page

Odie Lee Page was born September 15, 1931 in Tennessee and lived there with his parents, Odie Allen Page and Anice Page and brothers, Ed and Roy, until moving to Florida in 1945. Between 1945 and 1949, the family moved back and forth between Florida and Tennessee.

He loved to talk about his humble beginnings and all the adventures he and his brothers had, and he just might have embellished the tales a little!

Odie was inquisitive and loved learning and liked telling the story of skipping first grade. He had gone to the one-room schoolhouse with his older brother and listened to the lessons, so when he was old enough to start school, he “already knew that stuff,” so he started with the second graders. This was the beginning of him being a lifelong learner.

Odie’s senior year of school was spent at the high school at Trevecca Nazarene College, where he met his sweetheart, Ruby. He graduated from high school in June of 1948, and attended Trevecca Nazarene College a short time, before he enlisted in the Navy in 1951.

During his time in the navy, he received his training as an Air Traffic Controller. After his discharge in 1955, he attended more air traffic training schools and used that training as the basis for his career.

Odie worked 34 years as an air traffic controller—the perfect job for a high-energy ADHD guy! He often referred to his job as his avocation, because he considered his church related work his vocation—his true calling.

He was a layperson who spent most of his life in service to the church—Sunday School teacher, board member, local church and district treasurer, NC district advisory board, TNU trustee, denominational general board member, delegate to many district and general assemblies, and more. Since he retired at the ripe old age of 57, he worked at other temporary jobs, most recently in the mail room at Billy Graham Ministries.

Odie was best known, not for his career or his accomplishments. He was known as a friend to everyone and will be remembered as a kind, generous, faithful man who loved God, his family, and his church. He adored his sweetheart, Ruby, and they recently celebrated 71 years of marriage.

On March 24, 2023, Heaven gained a special man. “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

A memorial service for Odie will be held Saturday, April 15, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Pineville Church, 8614 Pineville-Matthews Road, Charlotte, NC 28226. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.forestlawnwest.com for the Page family.