Marjorie Louise O’Dell Crabill was born to Albert Henry Johnson and Mildred Bly Johnson on April 7, 1917 in Rosamond, California. In 1942, she and her husband, Byron (Barney) O’Dell, moved to a remote town that, at the time, was no more than a mining settlement, Gabbs, Nevada. Marjorie remained in Gabbs for over 70 years and was very active in the community. She was the secretary to the plant manager at Basic Refactories, later Premier Mining Corporation and a member of Gabbs Community Church and Eastern Star. She helped establish the Gabbs Senior Center and the Community Library.Marjorie continued in her position at the mine until she retired at age 70.In retirement, she devoted her time to her beloved church, her dear friends, Eastern Star, and David’s family in Idaho. She was so proud of her three grandsons, Justin, Patrick, and Matthew.She never missed a birthday or Christmas celebration and provided the family with
homemade Christmas candy each year. In 1987, she lived in Idaho for 6 months and cared for her grandchildren so that her daughter-in-law could complete her college education. In 2014, it was necessary for Marjorie to leave Gabbs due to failing health, and with much reluctance, she moved to Florida to be closer to family. In her last years, she continued to amaze her family and friends with her ability to adapt and carry on with a resolve to live to 100. She almost made it.She was preceded in death by two brothers, Albert and Donald Johnson and one sister, Eleanor Anderson, her first husband Byron, (Barney) O’Dell and her second husband John Crabill.Marjorie is survived by David (Nancy) , Patti O’Dell, grandsons Justin (Jenni), Patrick (Isyana), and Matthew (Courtney) and great-grandchildren, Patrick, Henry, Madison, Charlotte, and Thomas. This was a life well-lived.
