Joseph Berger Odom, Sr., 85, died peacefully on January 18, 2022 at a Memory Care facility in Spring, TX.  He was born on September 16, 1936, in Steens, MS, to the late Owen Oliver Odom and Louise Berger Odom.  In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by two sisters, Angela Gail Odom and Shirley Odom Younger, and one brother, William H. Odom.

He worked primarily in the field of education, serving in many and varied capacities:  Teacher; Coach; High School Counselor; Juvenile Corrections; Deaf Education; Vocational Counselor; and Lowndes County Superintendent of Education.  He also did work for the YMCA and Boy Scouts of America.

He served in the Air Force.  While stationed in Spokane, WA, he was a member of their base Championship Baseball Team.  He enjoyed all sports but he remained a St. Louis Cardinals fan from the early days of listening to games on the radio until his death.  He was an avid duplicate bridge player and was an ACBL Diamond Life Master.  His wife was his favorite partner and they traveled to Sectional, Regional and National Tournaments for many years.  He was also a certified bridge teacher.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy Jane Odom; two sons, Joseph B. Odom, Jr. (Elisa), and Lance Odom; four sisters, Mary Vaughn (Larry), Martha Robinson, Kay Perkins (Hubert) and Beth Reed (Jack); two brothers, Owen Odom, Jr. (Julie) and Howard Odom (Fay); one step-daughter, Jane Gibbons; two step-sons, Ferrell Spicer (Christy) and Houston Stephens (Stacy); 5 grandchildren, Trey Odom (Rachel), Zach Odom, Becca Odom, Lauren Odom and Eric Odom; 10 step-grandchildren, Emily Gibbons, Meg Gibbons, John Gibbons, Luke Gibbons, Stewart Spicer (Claudia), Tyler Spicer, Mary Taylor Jones, Parker Stephens, Blake Stephens and Garrett Stephens; and two great grandchildren, Chloe and Cruz Odom.