Margaret Elizabeth Odom

Margaret Elizabeth Odom, 80, battled Alzheimer’s disease for many years before laying her burden down and going home to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday January 26, 2015. Funeral Services are scheduled for 11:00 am Friday January 30th at West Laurel Baptist Church with burial to follow in Hickory Grove Cemetery. Pastor Brandon Powell will officiate. The body will be placed in the church at 10:00 am. Lib, as she is known by family and friends, was born in Laurel on January 24, 1935 to Noel McRae and Burah Ebraska Sommers and was a dedicated member of West Laurel Baptist Church. In 1955 she married her husband Mel and their first son Richard was born at the old Community Hospital of Laurel in August 1958. Before marriage, Lib had traveled very little but that would soon change as they moved to Fayetteville, Arkansas where her husband taught at the University of Arkansas. Then in 1964, as he reported for active duty in the U. S. Navy, beginning a career in the Navy Civil Engineer Corps, Lib took on the new role of “Navy Wife”; traveling often and living in many different parts of the world. While living in Virginia, she became a licensed Realtor and discovered that she had a true skill in this area. At other times she was also licensed and sold real estate in Hawaii and in California; receiving numerous awards for outstanding performance in her field. She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers Jack, Ray, Marion and Charles. She is survived by her loving husband of 59 years, Melton Odom and two (2) sons, Richard of California and Christopher (Julie) of Eufaula, AL — Six (6) grandchildren—Ryan, Collin, Sara, Zachary, James and Abigail; all of whom were the delight and joy of her life. She is also survived by one brother, Joe Sommers (Edith) of Baton Rouge, La. and one sister, Lanelle Grayson of Laurel. Pallbearers will be Charley Bryant, Tom Cooley, Doug Boler, Bill Culberson, Ronnie Jones and Ken Swager. Special Honorary Pallbearer will be Albert Leggett. Memory Chapel of Laurel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will be Thursday January 29, 2015 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at Memory Chapel.

Margaret Elizabeth Odom

January 24, 1935 - January 26, 2015