Odell Elizabeth Frye Winston Hearns
Sept. 4, 1934 – July 12, 2021
Odell Elizabeth Frye Winston Hearns, 86, formerly of Charlottesville, Virginia, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 12, 2021, in Richmond, Virginia, following a weekend of being surrounded by her loving family, friends, and caregivers. She was born September 4, 1934, in Albemarle County into the Chestnut Grove Community to the late Andrew Lee and Estelle Radcliffe Cobbs Frye.
Odell attended school in Chestnut Grove, Albemarle Training School, and graduated high school in 1953 from Jackson P. Burley High School. She was a dedicated employee to many families and later worked at Carriage Cleaners, retiring with 29 years of service. At age 55 she completed the necessary training to become a CNA, Certified Nursing Assistant. Odell worked for many years in the local retirement communities in Charlottesville and in private homes, where she was well-known for doing what she always did best – providing love and compassionate nursing care to her patients.
At an early age, Odell joined Chestnut Grove Baptist Church where she participated in the many facets of church life. In 1954, she married George Winston and moved to the Milton Community where she joined Rose Hill Baptist Church. At Rose Hill, she served as president of the Missionary Circle, a member of the Senior Choir, a member of the Pastor’s Aide Club, and the Usher Board. The missionary work that gave her the most joy and satisfaction was visiting the sick and shut-in and delivering dinners as a part of the community soup kitchen – for this activity she and her partner earned the nicknames “Paul and Silas”.
Odell loved her family, family gatherings, vacations, “field trips” and any activity where a good meal and fun could be shared. Survivors include her husband, William B. Hearns, her daughters, Brenda Winston Phillips, and Angela Winston Fitzgerald of Richmond, VA. Odell is also survived by her grandsons John L. Winston (Gina), John R. Fitzgerald, III and Keith G. Balmer (Melissa); granddaughter Tierra B. Lackey; great-granddaughters Jayla Freeman, Alessia Balmer, and McKenna Winston; her nephews Richard Cobbs (Linda), and Tony Cobbs (Teraceta); her nieces Sylvia Roy, Terri Frazier and Odelle Melinda Rosario (Carlos and Paje). Other survivors include her step-daughter, Elizabeth Hearns Coles, and her children “Tommy”, Bland, Sonya, and Rick, and their families; and her dear cousin Barbara Radcliffe Grey and her sons Robert and Michael. Of her many devoted and loving family and friends are the Winstons, Greens, Yates, Margaret Bryant, Pauline Johnson, Mary Reaves, Ken’Dra Clack, Clarence Walker, Delroy Salmon, and Godson, Paul Johnson.
Odell was preceded in death by her parents, her late husband, her son, Wayne Winston, her brothers Nathan Cobbs, Andrew Frye, Jr., and Tommy Frye, and her granddaughter Samone Phillips.
A graveside funeral service will be held at Chestnut Grove Baptist Church, 1601 Old Lynchburg Road, Charlottesville, VA 22903, on Saturday, July 24, 2021, at 10:00 am. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Cha Cha’s Care Home, c/o Theresa Banda, 6291 Simi Court, Mechanicsville, VA 23111.
Aunt Odelle, A beautiful Angel who cared for everyone and everything. Who can make anyone’s heart sing. You touched so many with your kind words and wisdom we will all miss you so much. We Love you dearly Aunt Odelle rest in the heavens our love.