Shirlee Odell (née Akers) died peacefully surrounded by family and her incredible adopted family at Stevens Park Health and Rehab in Augusta, Georgia on December 26th, 2024, at the age of 95 years young.

Shirlee was born to Harriet (née Ashley) and Dewey Akers on September 30th, 1929, in Carrollton, Kentucky, where she was raised along side her three sisters and two older brothers. When she finished high school, she attended Augusta Junior College for one year, after which she transferred to the University of Kentucky graduating with a bachelors degree in social work. Her degree allowed her to play many roles: she was a medical social worker, she did disaster relief with the Red Cross, she placed foster children into safe homes, and she worked for Lutheran Social Services in a group home caring for teenage girls who were not able to live with their families. She later earned a teaching certificate at the University of Iowa and enjoyed substitute teaching. She also found time to sing in choirs, sew, play tennis, and take art classes at the University of Iowa. She was a voracious reader.

She married Robert Dean Odell on December 27th, 1944. They made their home in West Liberty, Iowa where they had their three girls, and then moved their family to Iowa City. They remained married until Robert passed on June 23rd, 1997. After her husband's passing, Shirlee moved around a bit. She lived in Aiken, South Carolina where she sang in the Augusta Choral Society and the First Baptist Church of Aiken choir. Then she returned to Iowa City where in February of 2013, she had a stroke. For the last eight years of her life she lived at Stevens Park, where she was the life of the party. She enjoyed life among her friends and adopted family there, and she received incredible care from the dedicated staff.

She is survived by her daughter Holly Dee Odell of Nashville, TN; daughter Kelly Odell and son-in- law James Clark Anderson of Augusta, GA; sister Anna Asch of West Bend, WI; sister-in-law Libby Akers of Anderson, SC; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Dianne and Gene Paetz of Prescott, AR; grandson Richard Evers III; and six nieces and five nephews. In addition to her husband, she is predeceased by her daughter and son-in-law Tamara and Jerry Joe Hanson; sister and brother-in-law Joan and Edward Tandy; sister and brother-in-law Barbara and Dick Borchardt; brother and sister-in-law Dee and Lilyalice Akers; brother Donald Akers; brother-in-law Albert (Bud) Asch; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Mildred and Marlin Odell; nieces Carol Stubbs and Laura Starkel; and nephew Carl Borchardt.

Shirlee's family extends their deep and sincere appreciation for the compassionate care given to her by the outstanding staff at Stevens Park.

A memorial service will be held in late spring in Iowa City, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the activity fund at Stevens Park Health and Rehab, 820 Stevens Creek Road Augusta GA 30907.