Connie Odoms Lee-Smith

Connie Odoms Lee-Smith, 80, of Abilene, passed away on Friday, April 4, 2025 in Abilene. She was born on January 19, 1945 to the late Lucille and Hilmon Odoms. She was married to the late Rev. Bill A. Lee, Sr. for 41 years until his death and later married Jackson Smith in 2012. Connie was the owner and operator of Connie’s Beauty Salon for 16 years. She retired so she could help take care of her mother Lucille and her son Terry. Connie loved to help care for the elderly people.

Connie went to Carter G. Woodson High School and she graduated from Aladdin Beauty College in 1989 where she made student of the week three times.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, two children, Terry Lee and Larry Lee and four siblings, Eugene Odoms, Ella Oliver, Sarah Robinson and Hilmon Odoms, Jr.

She leaves to cherish her memories with sons Bill Lee, Jr., Steve Lee and Terry Lee; her daughters, Jennifer Shackelford and Tammy Lee; 7 grandchildren, Jason Elliot, Jessica Lee, Johnathan Lee, Antoinette Lee, Dominique Lee, Jeremy Lee, and Inez Shackelford-Lee; 7 great grandchildren and one on the way, Sasha Elliot, Chloe Michelle Elliot, Cai Mergia, Caine Mergia, Chaya Mergia, Carmela Mergia, and Michah Grace Graham. She leaves behind numerous cousins and a host of nephews and nieces, including James Reed, Traci Oliver, Gene Robinson, Freddie Robinson and Phillip Robinson; members of the Smith family, Tony Smith, Christopher Smith, Bianca Idowu, Reynaldo Smith and Dierdra James.

Connie was a Sunday School Teacher and Mission Teacher for many years. She thought that she could help and save the whole world. Many people did not know that about her because she kept it to herself and the Lord. She was always giving her time and helping and feeding people.

On May 30, 1987 she received certificate award from the Abilene Business Community and Black Chamber of Commerce. She received a certificate of appreciation on July 11, 1996 from the Abilene Ladies Auxiliary of Firefighters for their Booster Club donation drive. On February 10, 2007 she received a certificate of recognition from the Black History Community Women’s Day Committee.

Funeral services will be 12:00 PM Saturday, April 19, 2025 at the Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home Chapel, 5701 US Hwy 277 South in Abilene. Burial will follow at Elliott-Hamil Garden of Memories Cemetery.