Hazel Lea Odum, 91, of Marion, passed away at 10:49 pm on Saturday, May 18, 2019 at her home.
Hazel was born November 24, 1927 in Marion the daughter of Samuel Eugene and Delpha Ann (Smith) Davis. She married Lorenzo Dow Odum, Jr. on November 10, 1943 in Henderson, Kentucky and together they shared 69 years of marriage until his death on November 13, 2012.
She was a member of the Marion Third Baptist Church and for over 20 years she taught 5th and 6th grade at Bowers Elementary School in Harriman, Tennessee. She retired in 1989. She was also a member of AARP. She was a kind and patient woman who never met a stranger. She was a sweet lady who enjoyed sewing and listening to country music. In her spare time, she enjoyed travelling, camping and cruising to different locations. She was a talented cook and baker who was known for her fried chicken, cream corn, chicken and dumplings, lemon meringue pie and peanut rolls.
She will be dearly missed. Survivors include her: Son – Dow Odum III and wife Marsha of Marion Son – Stephen Odum and wife Mary of Collierville, Tennessee Three grandsons; Matt Odum and wife Tawnya of Marion Jason Odum and wife Samantha of Olive Branch, Mississippi Adam Francis of Memphis, Tennessee Five great grandchildren; Drew Odum of Marion Peyton Odum of Marion Kara Odum of Marion Jason Odum, Jr. of Olive Branch, Mississippi Tristin Furloung of Olive Branch, Mississippi Sister – Dorothy McKinnies of Walkerton, Indiana Several nieces and nephews Preceded by her Parents, Husband – Lorenzo Dow Odum, Jr. grandson – Justin Odum, great granddaughter – Alexia Brooke Odum and brothers- Glenn and Loran Davis and one infant sister.
Funeral services will be Friday, May 24, 2019 at 11 am at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home with Rev. Larry Shackley will officiate. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday evening from 5 – 8 pm at the funeral home.
For those who prefer memorials may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation. Envelopes will be available and accepted at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home, 800 North Market Street, Marion, Illinois 62959.