Joi Courtney O'Dell

Joi Courtney O'Dell, age 28, of Minneapolis, died on Sunday, July 7, 2013, in Minneapolis. Funeral service held on Sunday, July 14, 2013, 3 p.m. at the Watertown Evangelical Free Church in Watertown, with the Rev. Paul Kling officiating, with visitation from 1 p.m. until the time of service at the church. Interment: Watertown Public Cemetery. Joi was born on March 5, 1985, in Waconia, Minn., the daughter of William D. and Mary S. (Merritt) O'Dell. Her spiritual birthday was May 30, 1997. Joi Courtney O'Dell was born in Waconia, Minn., and moved with her family to Rogers, Ark., when she was 3. At age 20, she moved to Minneapolis and lived at a Christian community home called The Green House run by her cousin, Jon, and his wife, Bliss. Their mission is to be a Christ-centered community that values personal and spiritual growth, healing, restoration, and that desires to share this with others through hospitality and acts of service. "Love God, Love People, Grow the World." Creative writing was a love of hers, from being known for her sweet and artistic letters she mailed to all the people she knew, to publishing a book she wrote, "Kohara, The White Veiled City." She was a licensed massage therapist. She graduated from White River Massage School in Fayetteville, Ark. And even though she was known for her amazing massages, she was even better known for her work in the community. She had a ministry for people, especially children. She truly left her legacy of love, and had a real caring and loving spirit. She was a precious daughter, a loving sister and a devoted friend to all who knew her. Many people describe her as a bright light, and she was because Jesus was shining through her. Joi was preceded in death by her infant brother, Joshua O'Dell; grandparents, Fred and Mary Helen Merritt, George Nelson; uncle, Rusty O'Dell; cousin, Nathan Benson. Joi is survived by her loving family: father, Dave O'Dell of Rogers, Ark.; mother, Susan O'Dell of Rogers, Ark.; sisters, Jill O'Dell of Howard Lake, Jacque O'Dell-Combs of Rogers, Ark.; grandparents, Barbara Nelson of Watertown, Bill and Connie O'Dell of Brooklyn Center; aunts and uncles, Allen and Barbara Merritt of Rogers, Ark., Phil Merritt of Rogers, Ark., Steve Merritt of Rogers, Ark., Joe and Jeri Merritt of Pryor, Okla., Linda and Bob Benson of Watertown, Steve and Kathy O'Dell of Watertown, Leanne and Mike Weyrick of Fort Smith, Ark., George and Channing Nelson of Pineville, Mo.; other relatives and friends. Arrangements are with the Johnson Funeral Home in Waconia, Minn., 952-442-2121, www.johnsonfh.com.