Odessa Athelone Mallette Churchwell, of Agricola, Mississippi, age 99 passed from this life to eternal life with Jesus on February 16, 2025.
Athelone was born on October 12, 1925 in the Ward community located outside of Lucedale, Mississippi. Her father was the late James Marcus Mallette and mother the late Bessie Mae Sherman Mallette.
The October day that Athelone was born, was a cool fall morning. Nancy Elizabeth Overstreet had a sad intuition that something was not right at the Mallette household. She grabbed her coat, told her brother-in-law to bank the fire, prepare the horses for travel and she ran about 1 mile to the home of James Marcus and Bessie Mae Mallette. Auntie discovered the doctor was at the Mallette home and that a baby girl had been born, but the precious child was struggling to breath. The doctor was busy with the mom, stopping a bleeding problem, and did not give the newborn baby girl a chance to live, but Baby Athelone's tiny body clung to life with the quiet strength and determination of a soul meant to stay. The story goes that Auntie found the baby girl blue, and breathed life into her even before CPR was a national standard. Baby Athelone's color changed back to normal and she began to breathe.  At that point, Athelone was claimed and raised by her Great Aunt. She lovingly referred to the lady that raised her as "Auntie". Athelone lived with "Auntie" who taught Athelone how to sew, cook, and maintain a household. Athelone's miracle birth was a testament to her purpose and resilience.  Athelone Churchwell, a spirit too bright to fade, understood the sacredness of every heartbeat.  She gave all of herself to those lucky enough to be near her.  Her love and compassion had no limits and no bias.  She knew that every soul was precious and she loved with abandon.
Athelone grew up in George County.  She attended Ward School and Lucedale High School.
During WW2, Athelone worked at Hammels Department Store, where she was the manager of the linen department. As WW2 raged throughout Europe and the Pacific, men were called to fight for their country and women were called to produce heavy machinery needed for the war. Athelone, a real-life "Rosie the Riveter," the embodiment of resilience, was a heart that never backed down. She rolled up her sleeves and traded her apron for overalls when she became a welder in Mobile at the Alabama Dry Dock and Ingalls Shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi. After WW2 ended, women were asked to step down from their jobs to enable employment for male veterans returning home. She lost her job as a welder, but continued to weld around her home when needed. She embodied the belief that "We can do it" if we help each other, love each other and work together.
On October 22, 1946 Athelone married Gavin Churchwell. She had two children, a son Gavin Churchwell, Jr. (Nina Jean "Jeannie" Cook) and a daughter Betsy Rose Churchwell Ozborn Smith (Gary Wayne Smith). She is survived by three grandchildren, Tracy Churchwell Harwood, Lisa Michelle Ozborn McMillan (Mark McMillan) al Lucedale, Samuel Bratis Ozborn, Chattanooga, TN and three great-grandchildren, Victoria Mattie Clayton, (Mississippi State), Gavin Lee Ozborn, and Isabelle Rose Ozborn (Chattanooga, TN).
Her hobbies included sewing, quilting and gardening. Athelone gifted members of her family, including brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews and grandchildren with a handmade quilt. She completed hundreds of quilts during her lifetime. Athelone was a soul woven from the finest threads of boundless love. She believed in the quiet power of empathy.  Athelone attended Lighthouse Pentecostal Church where she taught Sunday School for 50 years.  She also enjoyed traveling. She visited friends in Guatemala, and worked on a mission in Mexico. She enjoyed taking road trips with her sisters Arthella and Audrey Nell. Athelone spent extended time in Chattanooga, TN and Fairbanks, Alaska visiting her daughter and grandchildren. Wherever she went, her spirit lingered with every act of kindness she inspired.  Her heart had no boundaries and her legacy is written in every life she touched.  Rest gently dear Athelone.  The world was better with you in it, and because of you, it still can be.

The funeral will be held 10:00am on Wednesday, February 19, 2025 at Lighthouse United Pentecostal Church, Hwy 26 West, Lucedale, MS with Brother Darrick Hoyt officiating.  Burial will be in Union Cemetery, Lucedale.

Calling hours will be Wednesday, February 19 from 9:30-10:00am at Lighthouse Pentecostal Church.

Sigler Funeral Home, 601-947-3112, www.siglerfuneral.com, 4248 Main Street, Lucedale, MS, is in charge of arrangements.