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BARBARA FRANKLIN “BOBBIE” ODOM

1917-2020

Barbara Franklin “Bobbie” Odom of Vienna, died peacefully on Monday, Dec. 7, 2020 at Hospice LaGrange.  She lived to the wonderful age of 103.

Mrs. Odom was born May 6, 1917 in Tennile, Georgia, the third of three daughters to the late James Dorsey Franklin and Clifford Beatrice Whitehead Franklin.  Her father was a pharmacist and in the early 1930’s, moved back to Vienna to live in the family home.  She graduated in 1934 from Vienna High School and attended Georgia State College for Women in Milledgeville.  In 1940, she married James Richard Odom, II.

Mrs. Odom was instrumental in opening the Dooly County Department of Public Welfare in 1937 which specialized in public assistance programs.  The department in later years became the Department of Family and Children Services.  During her career, she handled multiple assistance and benefit programs.  She retired from DFCS in August, 1979 with 42 years of service.

She was active in her community as a member of the Vienna Woman’s Club, Vienna First Baptist Church and the Vivian Bonner Sunday School Class.  She enjoyed bridge, needlepoint, crocheting and 4 p.m. coffee time with friends.

She is survived by her daughter and son in law, Helen and Bill Rice of LaGrange; her grandchildren Walt Mixon of Columbus, Jeff and Pam Smith of Woodstock, Doug and Barbara Newsome of Forsyth and Brooks and Mia Rice of Seale, Alabama; her great grandchildren, Parker Smith, Abby Smith, Aaron Newsome, Callie Newsome, Rosemary Rice, Brooks Rice, Jr., and Hinton Rice; several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James Richard Odom, II, her daughter, Alice Odom Mixon and her son in law, Marvin W. Mixon.

A private funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 11 in Vienna First Baptist Church.  A public interment service will be at 11:15 a.m. in Vienna City Cemetery.

Memorial girls may be made to West Georgia Hospice, 1510 Vernon Road, LaGrange, Georgia 30240 or First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 351, Vienna, Georgia 31092.

The family would like to give special thanks to her devoted caregivers, Jackie Mullins, Kia Crisp, Elaine Stephens, Sylvia Smith and Rebecca Moss.

Friends may sign the online register book at www.brannen-nesmith.com.

Brannen-NeSmith Funeral Home of Vienna, Georgia has charge of arrangements.