PHOTO: Caption: REST IN PEACE – Pvt. Odell Sharpe was laid to rest Sunday. The WWII soldier's remains were found recently and bought back to his family for a full military funeral.

By David Tootle

Family, friends, and patriotic Americans gathered Sunday at the Ronnie Stewart Family Funeral Chapel in Vidalia and later at the Dear River Cemetery near Uvalda to say a final goodbye to Odell Sharpe, who died in the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium in World War II. Shape was 19 when he was killed during the German offensive in December of 1944, and his remains were undiscovered until several months ago. Members of the 99th Infantry Division Association MIA Project uncovered Sharpe's remains and some personal effects while excavating a foxhole in September, near Elsenborn, Belgium.

First to speak at the funeral in Vidalia was Vernon Swanson, organizer of the MIA Project. Swanson, who served with Sharpe’s outfit in the war, organized the group of American and Belgian scientists and experts because of his concern for his comrades whose remains were never found. So far, the group has uncovered eleven of 33 missing 99th Infantry sldiers. Also speaking to the gathering was Jean-Louis Seel, the Belgian national who actually found Sharpe’s remains.

Officiating over the service were Rev. Bob Corley and Reb. H.J. Johnson. Members of the Division Fires Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division from Ft. Stewart served as pallbearers and provided a 21-gun salute and "Taps" on bugle at the cemetery.

Sharpe's parents, Make and Lizzie C. Sharpe, and his brother Alex have passed away since 1944. He is survived by three siblings, George, Mary, and Joe, who attended the services Sunday.

The Advance, Wednesday, February 02, 2005, page 1A.