A Celebration of life service for JoEllen Odom, 84, will be held on and will be conducted
at Riverwood Family at 11:00 am Saturday, January 22, 2022, with visitation from 10:00 until the time of service, and burial at Riverwood Memorial Park.
JoEllen Odom was born on September 25, 1937, in Smackover, Arkansas, to the late Charles Homer Harrison, Sr.
and Willie Greer Harrison. She went home to be with the Lord on January 19, 2022.
She married the love of her life, Charlie R. Odom, Jr., and they were married for over 68 years.
His impeccable love and devotion to her is evident in the dedicated care he provided for her in the recent years.
Her legacy included six daughters, seventeen grandchildren, and nineteen great grandchildren.
Our family would like to say thank you to the many people who have loved her so well for many years.
A special thank you to the Nurses and CNA’s of Hospice Ministries, Inc, and Chaplain Rick Munn
for their tremendous love and care they have provided in the most recent days of her life.
Her greatest accomplishment on earth was passing along her faith to others. She loved Jesus and would share her faith in Him in many ways.
She was actively involved in her church and teaching children about Jesus through avenues like Discipleship Training
or Training Union for many years. While her roles of service in the church changed through the years, her dedication was unwavering.
For 28 years, she worked as a nurse at the Ocean Springs Nursing Center where she embraced her patients and loved them like her own family.
Along with passing on her faith, she passed along a love for the simple things in life. She was remarkable in the kitchen
where she enjoyed cooking and baking. Her homemade biscuits and divinity were unparalleled and like no other around.
She found tremendous joy in sewing and making flower arrangements. Along with her ability to cook and sew, she enjoyed gardening and had a green thumb.
It was often said, “she could make anything grow.”
While we mourn the fact that she is no longer physically with us on earth, we graciously rejoice in the reality that she is completely healed in the presence of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Mrs. Odom was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Homer Harrison, Sr. and Willie Greer Harrison;
brothers, Charles Homer Harrison, Jr. and Donald Harrison; grandson, Daniel Bradley; father and mother-in-law, Charlie R. Odom, Sr.
and Helen Louise Odom; brothers-in-law, John David Odom, and Sidney Earl Odom.
Mrs. Odom is survived by her husband, Charlie R. Odom, Jr.; six daughters, Tammy Mims (Tom) of Biloxi, MS;
Penny Bradley (Donnie) of Navarre, FL; Kathy Barker (Greg) of Madison, MS; Cindy Henry (Jimmy) of Fulton, MS;
Debby McMillan (Bo) of McCall Creek, MS; and Christy Cockrell (Shane) of Navarre, FL; two sisters, Doris Finley (Frank),
and Janie Hudson (Mike); sister-in-law, Helon Thomas (LC); 16 grandchildren, and 19 great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to New Hope Baptist Church at 4915 New Hope Road in Meadville, MS 39653.
Pallbearers: Tom Mims, Donnie Bradley, Greg Barker, Jimmy Henry, Bo McMillan, Shane Cockrell.
