Wanda O'Dell Garrett, 84, of Mullins slipped peacefully away from us and into the presence of Jesus on Sunday, May 25, 2025, at MUSC Health Marion Medical Center. She was born in Bristol, Tennessee, the daughter of the late George Wilford O'Dell and the late Ida Harris O'Dell.

Wanda spent most of her young life in Tennessee, but at the age of 15, her family moved to San Diego, California. Following her high school graduation, Wanda worked for a bank but was soon recruited by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the San Diego office as a dispatcher and clerical worker.

As a child growing up in Tennessee, Wanda and her family would listen to the old Brooklyn Dodgers on the radio and later attend games in Los Angeles. One of her greatest memories was attending a game and watching Sandy Koufax pitch. Her love for baseball carried over into her adult life, and every spring she looked forward to baseball season, where she watched as many Dodgers and Braves games as possible.

Wanda met her future husband, Tom, through his sister Kathleen, whom she met on a Greyhound bus, and they were married in 1965. They settled in Mullins where they lived for the next 53 years until Tom's passing in 2018. Wanda was a truly kind person who knew how to make everyone feel special. This attribute allowed her to have a successful career working with Avon. She retired as a district manager after 28 years. She also enjoyed cross stitching, but her greatest joy was the love and laughter shared with her family. A devoted member of Mullins First Baptist Church, she was also a member of the Willing Workers Sunday School Class.

In addition to her parents, Wanda was predeceased by her husband, Thomas C. Garrett, one brother, and two sisters.

She is survived by a son, Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Michael Garrett, Retired and his wife, Tawyna of Alexandria, Virginia; a daughter, Gina Garrett Jones and her husband, Tony of Rock Hill; three grandchildren, Kristopher Garrett (Erin), Zachary Garrett Jones, and Alexander Garrett Jones; several nieces, nephews, and cousins, and special friends, Myra Hall and Baby Stone.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m., Saturday, May 31, 2025, in the Fellowship Hall of Mullins First Baptist Church. Funeral services will follow the visitation, beginning at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday in the sanctuary of the church with Reverend Robbie Baxley officiating. Interment will be at Jones-Nichols Cemetery in Nichols.

If you would like to remember Wanda, the family suggests that donations be made in her memory to Mullins First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 443, Mullins, South Carolina 29574.

An online guestbook is available at www.mearesfh.com.

Meares Funeral Home has been given the honor of serving the family.