Odell Benson Kivett, Sr.

Odell Benson Kivett, Sr., born June 26, 1929 in Asheboro, NC, and was the eldest son of Sulon Benson Kivett and Alice Hughes Kivett. He was educated in Asheboro City Schools and played football for four years at Asheboro High School. Following high school graduation, he was employed at McCrary Hosiery Mill until he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1951. After induction at Fort Meade, Maryland, he was sent to the Division of 449th Field Artillery at Fort Bragg, NC where he remained for the duration of the Korean War. Odell's Company A Division has continued to have reunions each year since 1962. Upon discharge, he was again employed at McCrary Hosiery Mill until 1961 when he went to work for Pugh Funeral Home and did custom picture framing part-time. Odell then became a professional framer and a member of the Professional Picture Framers Association. He and his wife, Ann, opened Kivett Frame Shop on Park Street. In 1980, Odell and his son, Benny, began Liquid Waste Disposal Services, which became Kivett & Son, Inc. Waste Treatment Service. Odell was a charter member of the Eastside Volunteer Fire Department, serving as Assistant Chief for 20 years and helped organize the Randolph Firemen's Association. He retired from fire service in 1988. He was a charter member and organizer of the Randolph Arts Guild and continued in active support of the Guild. He was also a charter member of Pinewood Country Club. Odell had a zest for life that his family, friends, and acquaintances will always remember. His wonderful sense of humor never waivered, right up to his passing. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Ann Moffitt Kivett, son, Benny Kivett, brothers, Meredith Kivett and Allen Kivett; and great-grandson, Nolan Odin Durham. Odell is survived by his wife, Patty York Baldwin-Kivett; daughter, Victoria Ellen Kivett Durham and husband Mike of Asheboro; step-daughters, Debbie Baldwin Ballard and husband Robert of Columbus, OH and Marsha Baldwin Lamm of Midlothian, VA; two grandsons, Michael Durham and wife Jennifer of Asheboro and Zac Durham of Durham; four step-grandchildren, Crystal Lamm Orwan and Joe of Midlothian, VA, Forrest Lamm and Ashley of Ho Ho Kus, NJ, Ryan Ballard and Carrie of Columbus, OH, and Ashley Ballard of Columbus, OH; great-grandchildren, Aislin Grace, Elly Faith, and Nora Ann Durham all of Asheboro; and step-great-grandchildren, Noah, Brayden, and Madison Ballard, Natalie and Carson Orwan, and Austin, Avery, and Addison Lamm. A private graveside service will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Randolph Arts Guild, 123 Sunset Ave., Asheboro, NC 27203 or First United Methodist Church, 224 North Fayetteville Street, Asheboro, NC 27203. Pugh Funeral Home in Asheboro is serving the Kivett family.