Born Josephine Holloman Holland on October 27, 1930, Jo was the daughter of Hoyt Thomas Holland and Mary Elizabeth Holloman, both of Jackson. She was graduated from Central High School in 1948, attended Millsaps College, and graduated from the University of Mississippi with a degree in Home Economics. She was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority.
After graduation, she began her career at Mississippi Power in Laurel as a home economist demonstrating electric kitchen appliances. In 1956, she was recruited by WLBT to develop and host one of Jackson television’s first live cooking demonstration programs titled “Kitchen Magic” with the late Alon Bee. The program aired each weekday afternoon and enjoyed a large fan base of homemakers who tuned in to watch. In 1957, she married Joseph Odom and moved to Vicksburg. After raising her family, she worked as secretary to the Home Economist at the Hinds County Extension Service in Jackson.
A faithful member of First Baptist Church of Jackson, she sang in the Sanctuary Choir and the Reflections Senior Choir and was inducted into the Sanctuary Choir Hall of Fame in 2010. Recognized for her forty years of patriotism and service in the Ralph Humphreys Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, she served as State Regent in the 1980s. An accomplished needle artist known for her Danish thread-count samplers, counted cross-stitch and lace embroidery, Jo was a charter member of The Jackson Stitchery Guild and a juried member of the Mississippi Craftsman’s Guild. She was a member of the MacDowell Music Club, the Mississippi Genealogical Society, and the Society of Southern Dames.
She enjoyed her memberships in several social clubs including Maids and Matrons Luncheon Club, the One O’Clock Luncheon Club, and Heatherwood Luncheon Club.
She is survived by her son Richard Holland Odom, and his wife Teresa, of Madison; her granddaughters Abreeza Creath Kendall Thomas of Hattiesburg and Mary Josephine Salema Thomas of Jackson, and many nephews and nieces. Preceding her in death are her husband, Joseph Creath Odom, her daughter, Elizabeth Creath Odom Thomas, and siblings Hoyt T Holland Jr., Mary Holland Boadwee, Hampton Holland Magruder, and Frances Holland Andrews.
Honorary pallbearers are Donald Thomas, Ben Holland, Harry Boadwee, Chris Rountree, Christopher Rountree, and William Daley.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Sanctuary Choir of First Baptist Church, 431 N. State St., Jackson, 39201 or to a charity of one’s choice.
