Odell E. Hamden, 82, went home to the Lord on February 4, 2012.

Hamden, a long-time resident of Galax, Va., was born in Kimball, WV, to Linda and Ed Hamden. Upon graduating from Welch High School at age 17, he served the country in the United States Army in St. Louis, MO, in the office of finance. Honorably discharged in 1948, Hamden attended National Business College where he earned a degree in accounting. He was employed by R.L. Persinger & Co. in Covington, Va., and became a Certified Public Account shortly thereafter.

Mr. Hamden is survived by Joann Cook Hamden, his wife of 58 years, five of their six children, eleven of their thirteen grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. (The surviving children include Michael & Kim Hamden of Chapel Hill, NC; Melanie and Tofigh Vafaei Avval of Roanoke, Va.; Marshall Hamden of Radford, Va.; MeLisa Hamden of Winston-Salem, NC; and Matthew Hamden of Galax. Madison David Hamden, the youngest of the Hamden children, passed away in 2005.) Mr. Hamden is also survived by his sister, Blanche Hamden of Roanoke, Va. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Raymond and Frederick Hamden.

Mr. Hamden was active in his church and the community. A faithful parishioner of the First Presbyterian Church of Galax, Hamden served as an Elder and celebrated more than 50 years as a member of the church choir. He also served for two decades on the Galax City Council. Mr. Hamden was a member of the Board of Directors of the Twin County Community Hospital, which he also served as Chairman of the Board. In addition, Mr. Hamden was a member and officer of the Rotary Club for more than 50 years and a Life Master of Bridge.

As a managing partner of R.L. Persinger & Co., Mr. Hamden headed the Galax office of the firm from 1959 through 1999. In the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants, Hamden served as Secretary, Treasurer, Vice-President, and President. He also served as a member of the Virginia State Board of Accountancy appointed by the Governor.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Galax Presbyterian Church in support of the "Backpack Buddies," P.O. Box 2, Galax, Va., 24333, to the Emergency Fund at the same address, or to the Choir of the Galax Presbyterian Church.

The family, which was well served by the Vaughan-Guynn Funeral Home, will receive friends at the Galax Presbyterian Church on Saturday, February 11, 2012 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. A memorial service celebrating Odell's life will follow at which the Presbyterian choir will provide music and where Dr. Thomas Whartenby is expected to share Mr. Hamden's sentiments with the congregation – "You're looking mighty good today!"