1923
Louie
2017
Louie Odom
July 24, 1923 — February 16, 2017
Lt. Col. Louie W. Odom, Known to his family a Buddy, went to be with the Lord Thursday, February 16, 2017 at the age of 93. Visitation will be at Ott & Lee Funeral Home, Brandon from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Friday February 17, 2017 and at Crossgates Baptist Church, Brandon from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. with services following at 1:30 p.m. Burial will be at Floral Hills Cemetery in Pearl, Ms.
Louie Odom was born in Macon, Georgia on July 24, 1923 to Ramsey and Rebecca Odom. Louie was only 2 when his father died. Some years later his mother married Jack Boyd who, according to Louie was the Best Man I Have Ever Known. Louie was saved at Gordy Baptist Church in Georgia at 14. He graduated from Sylvester High School in Georgia. He received a BS from Mississippi College, where he met Charlotte, his wife of 63 years. After retirement from the Army he received his Masters in Educational Administration from the University of Southern Mississippi.
Louie began his military career during WW II serving with the 484th Bomb group, 15th Air Force in Italy. After the war, he returned to finish his degree at Mississippi College and taught High School and coached HS Basketball in Wiggins, MS. Soon after he was commissioned Second Lieutenant in May of 1949 immediately being assigned to the Army of Occupation in Germany. Later he commanded an Infantry company during the Korean conflict and occupation.
As he was promoted through the ranks to Major, Odom served at the Pentagon in Army Intelligence and then being selected by General Earle Wheeler, Chief of Staff of the Army, to serve as his personal aid. When Wheeler moved to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs position, Odom went with him. Odom was present in the "War Room" of the Pentagon with all Chiefs of Staff during the 13 day Cuban Missile crisis. Odom served on the committee that arranged John F. Kennedy's funeral.
After retirement, Odom was selected to be the Principal of D'Iberville High School in Biloxi, MS. He later moved to Jackson as Assistant Principal of Brinkley Jr. High and then Principal of Provine High School. It was at this time that he gained his appointment from Gov. Bill Waller to head the "new" Classification Commission for the State of Mississippi. After his term at this position, he partnered with a group who purchased a nursing home chain and helped build a company of some 100 nursing homes as Vice-President of Operations.
He was a long time member of First Baptist Church Jackson and served as its Chairman of Deacons. Later he became a member of Crossgates Baptist Church where also served as Chairman of Deacons. He was always interested in flying earning his wings in WWII. He renewed that license and owned two planes flying until he was 80 years old. After Charlotte passed away he met and married Margaret Toler, the second love of his life.
Odom is survived by his wife Margaret Toler Odom, three sons, Dr. Philip Y. Odom (Marty) of Clinton, Ms., Davis Odom of Atlanta, Ga., Steven E. Odom (Sondra)of Pearl, one sister, Ramsella Cowles of Sylvester, Ga., two brothers, Dr. Ronald (Jackie) Boyd (Shirley) of Newman, Ga., and George Allen Boyd (Freddie) of Moultrie, Ga. ,six grandchildren, and six great grandchildren.
Louie Odom was born in Macon, Georgia on July 24, 1923 to Ramsey and Rebecca Odom. Louie was only 2 when his father died. Some years later his mother married Jack Boyd who, according to Louie was the Best Man I Have Ever Known. Louie was saved at Gordy Baptist Church in Georgia at 14. He graduated from Sylvester High School in Georgia. He received a BS from Mississippi College, where he met Charlotte, his wife of 63 years. After retirement from the Army he received his Masters in Educational Administration from the University of Southern Mississippi.
Louie began his military career during WW II serving with the 484th Bomb group, 15th Air Force in Italy. After the war, he returned to finish his degree at Mississippi College and taught High School and coached HS Basketball in Wiggins, MS. Soon after he was commissioned Second Lieutenant in May of 1949 immediately being assigned to the Army of Occupation in Germany. Later he commanded an Infantry company during the Korean conflict and occupation.
As he was promoted through the ranks to Major, Odom served at the Pentagon in Army Intelligence and then being selected by General Earle Wheeler, Chief of Staff of the Army, to serve as his personal aid. When Wheeler moved to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs position, Odom went with him. Odom was present in the "War Room" of the Pentagon with all Chiefs of Staff during the 13 day Cuban Missile crisis. Odom served on the committee that arranged John F. Kennedy's funeral.
After retirement, Odom was selected to be the Principal of D'Iberville High School in Biloxi, MS. He later moved to Jackson as Assistant Principal of Brinkley Jr. High and then Principal of Provine High School. It was at this time that he gained his appointment from Gov. Bill Waller to head the "new" Classification Commission for the State of Mississippi. After his term at this position, he partnered with a group who purchased a nursing home chain and helped build a company of some 100 nursing homes as Vice-President of Operations.
He was a long time member of First Baptist Church Jackson and served as its Chairman of Deacons. Later he became a member of Crossgates Baptist Church where also served as Chairman of Deacons. He was always interested in flying earning his wings in WWII. He renewed that license and owned two planes flying until he was 80 years old. After Charlotte passed away he met and married Margaret Toler, the second love of his life.
Odom is survived by his wife Margaret Toler Odom, three sons, Dr. Philip Y. Odom (Marty) of Clinton, Ms., Davis Odom of Atlanta, Ga., Steven E. Odom (Sondra)of Pearl, one sister, Ramsella Cowles of Sylvester, Ga., two brothers, Dr. Ronald (Jackie) Boyd (Shirley) of Newman, Ga., and George Allen Boyd (Freddie) of Moultrie, Ga. ,six grandchildren, and six great grandchildren.
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