Odamae Smith Hernandez

Odamae Smith Hernandez a beloved daughter, mother, grandmother, and friend, gained her angel wings on April 9, 2025 at the age of 72.

Born in McDuffie County GA on April 17, 1952, Odie was a woman of remarkable strength and courage. She was a woman who always put others first, a true embodiment of kindness and compassion. Most people remember Odie for her love of dance. Her brother, Billy, and her shared a special bond through dance, winning numerous jitterbug competition together. If you didn’t see Odie on the dance floor, you could catch her at the Huddle House or Peggy’s waitressing, bringing joy to all of her customers she served. Odie had a true talent of making people laugh. She was truly a blessing to be around. Her feisty personality was one that you could not forget. Besides dancing, she enjoyed scratching her lottery tickets and sharing her winnings with others. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren and, in her later years, doing cross word puzzles.

Odie will be missed dearly but will be reunited in heaven with her parents, Mozelle Smith and Joseph Sterling “Bill” Smith; her stepson John Zachary McDonald; and her siblings, Sterling Joseph “Billy” Smith, Monroe Smith and Milton Hobbs.

Odamae is survived by her loving children, James Daniel Gay (Pam) and Samantha McDonald Kelley. She cherished her role as a grandmother to five grandchildren, Rita Gay, Emily Gay, Zac Gay, Riley Kelley and Aubrey Mae Kelley. Additionally, she celebrated the arrival of her great grandson, Charlie Onley. Odie is also survived by her two sisters, Jean Warner (Rob) and Laverne Nelson (Dave), along with numerous nieces and nephews, as well as other extended family and friends, who cherished her presence in their lives.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Sunday evening, April 13, 2025, at James Funeral Home. A graveside service to celebrate her life will take place the following day, April 14, 2025, at Ways Baptist Church, starting at 2:00 PM. Following the graveside service, the family invites family and friends to join them for fellowship at her son’s home—5684 Quaker Road, Wrens GA 30833—a short drive from the cemetery.