Thomas Terry Odom, 76, of Yazoo City, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, April 11, 2025, after a courageous, hard-fought battle with cancer.
Terry was born on December 16, 1948, in Buena Vista, Mississippi, to Edward and Dorothy Hutchins Odom. He was raised in Belzoni, where he attended Belzoni High School. After high school, he joined the United States Army and began his long and decorated career, later transferring to the Mississippi Army National Guard. While in the National Guard, he attended William Carey College. Terry oversaw the National Guard in Belzoni for many years until transferring and taking charge of the Guard in Yazoo City. He retired on September 30, 2002, after serving his country for 32 years. During his service, he was proud to have fired the ceremonial cannons at 3 Gubernatorial inaugurations. The longtime soldier and bachelor, at the age of 41, married Kaye Wade on November 1, 1990. Their union made him a father to her daughter, Stacey, who was never a stepdaughter to him, and the most doting grandfather to Rebecca. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Terry was so proud of his girls. He and Kaye attended her childhood church, Fairview Baptist Church in Indianola. After his retirement from the National Guard, he worked for the Yazoo Herald in Yazoo City.
Terry was preceded in death by his father, Edward Odom; mother, Dorothy Hutchins Neal; four brothers, Charles Odom, Jimmy Odom, Larry Neal, Todd Neal; and one sister, Verda Mae Prince.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 34 years, Kaye Wade Odom of Yazoo City; daughter, Stacey Walker (Bob Dodson) of Canton; granddaughter, Rebecca Moir (Billy) of Clinton, Tennessee; brother, Ronnie Neal (Sharon) of Belzoni; and five sisters, Doris Shepard (Zack Wheat) of Huntsville, Alabama, Mary Foster (Owen) of Killeen, Texas, Kathy Stevenson (Alex) of Yazoo City, Laverne Adams of Gilbertown, Alabama, and Eloise Forsythe of Stonewall.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, April 16, 2025, from 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm, at Burton Funeral Home in Indianola. The funeral service will begin at 2:00 pm, with Rev. John Burke officiating. A private family burial will follow. Burton Funeral Home of Indianola has been entrusted with arrangements.
Memorials in Terry’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
