雪莉·安·奥戴尔

B.A. 1953

雪莉·安·奥戴尔 was born on February 22, 1931, 在道格拉斯, 亚利桑那州, 给埃利斯和露丝·纳摩. She spent most of her childhood in Deming, New 墨西哥, where her father was a Gulf oil distributor. She graduated from Deming High School in 1949.

高中毕业后, she enrolled at Hardin-Simmons University, graduating in 1953 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a minor in Spanish. 在HSU读书的时候, Shirley was a member of the Cowgirl Band from 1950 to 1953, serving as Social Chairman in 1952 and as president in 1953.

She was on the Mary Frances Hall Council in 1951 and 1952, 在1952年当过啦啦队长, 1953年担任啦啦队队长. 也是在1953年, 她是女牛仔队的一员, was a University Queen Nominee and Runner-up, 曾在社际理事会任职, and was the first Hardin-Simmons University 首页coming Sweetheart. She was named to Who’s Who in American 大学, 曾在《PG电子游戏》任职, and was a member of Sigma Delta Pi.

After graduation, Shirley returned to Deming, where in 1954, she married Melvin O’Dell. Shirley taught middle school English and Spanish in Wilcox, 亚利桑那州, while completing her master’s degree at New 墨西哥 Western University. Shirley loved southwest history and art, and wrote her thesis on the outlaws of the southwest.

In 1969, Shirley and Melvin moved to Flagstaff, 亚利桑那州, where Shirley continued to teach and was the first Baptist Student Union director at Northern 亚利桑那州 University. She was active in the First Southern Baptist Church in Flagstaff.

In 1985 Shirley and Melvin moved to Tucson, 亚利桑那州, where she lived the rest of her life.

A leader and devoted member of her church, Shirley was a board member of the 亚利桑那州 State Mission Board and the 首页 Mission Board. She has been honored by the 亚利桑那州 Southern Baptist Convention for her work. Shirley served as secretary for the Flagstaff Summer Festival Board of Directors for several years, and as State Women’s Missionary Union director, she participated in mission trips to China, 墨西哥, 和智利.

献给她 母校, Shirley hosted HSU alumni meetings in her home, and furthered the cause of Hardin-Simmons University by recommending HSU to students in her church. She also served on the HSU Board of Development from 1997 to 2002. An active member of the Board of Development, she and Mel made many trips from Tucson to Abilene to attend Board meetings and participate in 许回家s. Shirley was exemplary in her service to her 母校, as well as in financial support for it. Shirley was a member of the John G. Hardin Society and the HSU School of Music Foundation.

Shirley was known for her sweet and loving spirit, 性格外向、机智, and her love for and devotion to her husband. She and Mel celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary in 2010.

Throughout her life, Shirley demonstrated her desire to follow the Lord’s leadership. That resulted in a life of service, 对任务的特别热爱, and extraordinary efforts to advance the cause of Christ.

The 1891 foundation statement of HSU states that the institution would aspire to “bring young men and women to Christ, 教导他们基督的事, 为基督训练他们.” The founders would be extremely proud of Shirley O’Dell for being an example of the fulfillment of all three elements of the foundation statement.

Shirley succumbed to the effects of Alzheimer’s on February 26, 2011.

It is the high honor of Hardin-Simmons University to recognize one of her own and to formally induct Shirley Ann (Namour) O’Dell into the HSU 领袖堂.