.jpg)
Byron Sydnor Andrus Odend’hal, 87, of Lexington went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023.
Barney will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great grandfather.
He was a former employee of the Lexington Telephone Company and Virginia Military Institute. He loved VMI and was so proud to have been able to interact and get to know the cadets, whom he loved very much. He would always tell them and anyone he met that “ God Loves You.” He enjoyed carpentry and made many lovely things. He especially loved going to Saturday Morning Prayer Breakfast with his friends. His family and friends at his apartment in Buena Vista were so very special to him.
He will also be remembered as a very positive person, someone who loved life and always tried to see the best in everyone. He had a great sense of humor, loved reading his Bible, and loved telling people about Jesus.
He was born on April 8, 1936, in Norfolk to Eva Bernice Falconer and Edward Delevan Andrus II. He was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Virginia Marie Manley Reid.
Barney loved his family very much, and is survived by one son and three daughters, Kathy O. Fitzgerald (Larry), Shawn A. Odend’hal (Anne), Bambi L. Porter, and Christie O. Pearce (Timmy). His stepdaughter, Emily R. Bennington, preceded him in death. Surviving him are 10 grandchildren, 13 greatgrandchildren, and two greatgreat grandchildren.
Barney was a graduate of Hargrave Military Academy, attended VMI (‘58), and was a Marine. He was also a longtime member of Lexington Baptist Church, since his salvation in 1972.
A celebration of life will be held at Lexington Baptist Church at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 14.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to Lexington Baptist Church. N-G
