Darlene O'Dell, 82, died July 28, 2021, at her home in Elkhorn, Missouri, where she had lived since 1960. Her daughters were by her side. Darlene was born September 18, 1938, at her home near Lawson, MO to Vern and Nellie (Mayes) Elliott. Darlene married Ralph O’Dell on October 12, 1957, and they enjoyed 61 years together. Darlene grew up as the baby of her family and graduated from Lawson schools as Valedictorian of her class. She worked at Ball Clinic in Excelsior Springs and met Ralph on a blind date thanks to her friend, Gloria! Darlene loved being a homemaker and enjoyed raising three children, staying close to her brothers, sister, brother and sister-in-law and their immediate families, gardening, canning, farming (cows, chickens, goats, and anything else the kids brought home), quilting, playing cards, and handling the bookkeeping for the family plastic business. She loved her family - being a mom and wife were her priorities - always. Darlene adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren and great, great grandchild. She was known as Ma to her family! She was always there for them to celebrate and empathize, and she was a huge part of their lives influencing them in many ways. Darlene loved to travel and go for drives through the countryside; she and Ralph road tripped across the United States visiting 48 states as well as Mexico and Canada. They made many happy memories with their family and friends! Life was always an adventure! Darlene was known for her kindness, loving nature, strong virtues, and gentleness mixed with a little bit of feistiness and a whole lot of mama bear when necessary! She would do anything for anyone at anytime and take up for anyone at anytime! And she found the good in everyone! In addition to her parents Vern and Nellie, and in-laws Ernest and Jeanette, Darlene was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph, her son, Dennis, her brothers (Randall and Buck), her sisters-in-law (Jolene and Sharon), and her brothers-in-law (Paul and Charles). Survivors include her daughters and sons-in-law: Kandi and Larry Harrison of Excelsior Springs, MO, Suzanne and Kevin McCanles of Overland Park, KS; four grandchildren: Carrie (Michael) Donnici, Derek (Shelby) Harrison, Brady McCanles and Brooke McCanles; and five great-grandchildren Sierra, Logan, Gage, Calijah, and Silas and one great great grandchild, Alex. She also leaves behind her sister, Ethenell McKee and her sister-in-law, Kathryn Davis along with many beloved nephews and nieces! Visitation will be held from 10:00-11:30 Saturday, July 31, 2021, at North New Garden Primitive Baptist Church (South on O Highway just east of Excelsior Springs) with funeral services immediately following at 11:30 am. It was Darlene’s wish to be cremated. Burial will follow at a later date at the O’Dell Cemetery. Darlene loved flowers, and flowers and plants are welcome. Cut flowers will be taken to the cemetery after the service. If you would rather make a donation the family asks that Memorial Donations be made to the O'Dell Cemetery. Arrangements provided by Hidden Valley Funeral Home of Excelsior Springs, in Wood Heights. Directions - North New Garden Primitive Baptist Church - 10 highway east of Excelsior Springs to Route O, South on O Highway for approximately one mile, Church is on the right. Flowers may be purchased at Excelsior Floral and Gift, (816) 637-4120.