Funeral services for James C. Odom will be held at 3:00 PM, Saturday, July 13, 2019 at Simsboro First Baptist Church in Simsboro, LA with Rev. Jason Cole officiating. Burial will follow in Simsboro City Cemetery under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Ruston, LA.

James Curtis Odom of Simsboro, Louisiana was born May 25, 1927 in Jena, LA and died July 11, 2019 in Ruston, LA.  He was a devoted Christian who served his church as a deacon for many years.  After serving his country in the U.S. Army during World War II, he returned home and began taking care of his family as a carpenter.  He retired from the Louisiana Baptist Children's Home in 1989 as a cottage parent and maintenance manager. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who treasured his family by putting God first in his life.

James is survived by his wife of 72 years, Geneva Walker Odom; Sons:  Jimmy Wayne Odom (Linda) and Bruce Alvin Odom (Letha); daughter, Brenda Ferguson; brothers:  Milton Odom (Faye) and Floyd Odom (Linda); sisters:  Dolores Williams, Juanita Beck and Glenda Faye Reed and husband Norlen; two granddaughters: Amy Marie Odom Szpara (Ray) and Kimberly Lynn Odom Campos (Marco); three grandsons:  Jason Ferguson (Kammi), Kurt Odom (Kristen) and Kyle Odom (Erica); ten great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews whom he loved and cherished very much.

He was preceded in death by his father, Alva Byron Odom; his mother, Zada Ann Crane Odom; daughter, Debra Lynn Odom Collins; brother, Alva Byron Odom, Jr. and son-in-law, James Robert Ferguson.

Serving as pallbearers will be Chip Pickett, Barry Odom, Kurt Odom, Kyle Odom, Jason Ferguson, Brian Odom and Keith Odom.

Visitation will be 1:00 PM Saturday until service time at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Louisiana Baptist Children's Home, in Monroe, LA at 7200 Desiard Street, Monroe, LA 71203.