Laura Leigh Odell

     Laura Leigh Odell, 38, of Victoria passed away peacefully at home on Sunday June 9, 2024 surrounded by her loving husband, family and friends. She was born in Houston, Texas on June 22, 1985 to Jay Lynn Hines and Kenneth McLendon. She was a 2004 graduate of Calhoun High School in Port Lavaca, Texas. 

     Laura's dreams came true the day she married the love of her life, Chance Odell, on February 6, 2021. It was obvious by all who were present and in the pictures that this was by far the happiest day of her life. 

     Laura was as a CNA to hospice patients in Houston, at Hospice of South Texas in Victoria and worked at Citizens Medical Center until her health would not allow her to work anymore. She was very compassionate and genuinely cared for her patients and their families. Her smile could light up the room.

     Laura loved to travel with Chance especially to Tennessee and North Carolina during the fall. Going to the casinos in Louisiana was one of her favorite trips. She loved doing anything with Chance including fishing and hunting. She enjoyed going to the Houston rodeo and to see her favorite Astros play. In summer 2023, she was selected by Little Pink Houses of Hope to attend a retreat in Ocean City, Maryland. She was also honored to participate in Project Tickled Pink in Victoria in October, 2023. She was also a founding member of Bresties for Life, a breast cancer support group organized in Victoria.

     Laura is survived by her loving husband, Chance Odell, mother Jay Lynn Hines of Vanderbilt, father Kenneth McLendon of Houston, brother Cameron McLendon of Leander, father in law Harry Odell and mother in law Shirley Odell of Edna, sister in law Sheri Biggers and brother in law, Jeremy Biggers of Danbury, nieces Haley and Abby Biggers, nephew Landen Biggers, as well as several aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends. She is also survived by her fur babies, Miley, Milo and Scarlett.

     Laura was preceded in death by her sister Lindsey McLendon, maternal grandparents Jay Norris and Dorothy Norris, paternal grandmother Nila Plagens, and step-father Kerry Hines. 

     Visitation will be held Friday June 21 at 5-7 pm at Oaklawn Funeral Home in Edna. 

     Funeral services will be held Saturday June 22 at 10 a.m. at Oaklawn Funeral Home chapel, interment following at Memory Gardens of Edna. Donations in her memory can be made to Bresties for Life-Breast Cancer Support Group in Victoria.