Mattie S. Odom

It’s a privilege to share the life of our mother.  Mattie Sue Odom was the fifth child born to Henry and Agnes Bigelow, in Pelham North Carolina on January 5, 1934.  Her earlier years were spent in Danville, Virginia.  Her family migrated to Philadelphia during her junior high school years.  She graduated from Simon Gratz High School. She met and married Kenneth Thomas, Senior.  Together they were the proud parents of six children.  Kenneth Thomas, Jr., Debra R. Sue, Sharon D. Thomas, Cheryl Thomas (pre-deceased), Michel Thomas and Kimberly Thomas (pre-deceased).  She was a loving mother.  No, she was more than a loving mother, she was a loving person.  To know her was to love her.  People would even admire her voice.  She was soft spoken.  There was an angelic quality in her tone.  As her children, we were accustomed to that sweet voice; however, she did have the voice of reasoning and a very persuasive way to make her children see things from different perspectives.  She always believed that children had to be taught, and she took the time to teach her children life’s lessons. Education was very important to her, and she studied at the local community college.  She was well read and very intelligent.  She supported her children as they attended college pursing their various degrees. She was always considerate of others.  She was employed in the Dietary Department at Crozier Chester Medical Center.  She would come home and speak about her contribution to the healthy preparation of the meals for their patients. She loved that job but a turning point came when she met Jesus.  She was introduced to the Sabbath.  This came into direct conflict with her job.  The dietician position required her to work on Sabbath.  In her heart, she knew she had to give up that position.  She was able to transfer to the Laundry Department.  Gone were the white uniforms and white shoes.  She exchanged that position to one of hard labor.  She would work so hard and would come home completely exhausted.  She never complained. She met her second husband, James W. Odom.  She was able to retire from the laundry and relocated to Suffolk, Virginia.  There she was able to share nine and one half years with her husband before he passed away. She became a member of Capernaum Seventh Day Adventist Church in 1977.  She held numerous positions there and was always willing to serve. She received her certificate as a certified nursing assistant from Paul D. Camp Community College. She introduced her children to Jesus and was able to witness our transformation as we grew in His grace.  Seeing Jesus through her eyes and life, had a profound effect on our lives.  No, not only changed our lives, but placed them in a position to have faith in the Blessed Hope. She leaves behind to carry the torch her eldest son, Kenneth Thomas, Jr. his wife Stephanie, daughter, Debra Sue, her husband, Michael Sue, daughter Sharon D. Thomas and son Michel Thomas.  She had three grandsons, Monir Thomas, LaMawr Thomas and Vernon Thomas.  Six great-grandchildren, Lavonte’ Thomas, Sierra Thomas, Mya Thomas, Vernon Thomas, Jr., Michael Thomas and Sienna Thomas.  She has one sister remaining, Rachel Childs, and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. Her children are eternally grateful to God for blessing them with such a loving mother.  If we could have chosen anyone else in this world as our mother; without a doubt, she would have been our choice.A celebration of life will be held 1:00 p.m. Sunday, March 19, 2017 at Calvary Seventh-Day Adventist, 1200 17th Street, Newport News, VA 23607. She will be laid to rest in Carver Memorial Cemetery. Professional services with dignity have been entrusted to Crocker Funeral Home, Inc. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mattie S. Odom, please visit our flower store.