Elzie Delano Odom

Elzie Delano Odom was born in Shankleville, Texas on May 10, 1929. He received his formal education in the public schools of Newton County and Prairie View A&M University.

He was the seventh of eight children born to the union of Alvah Troga and Addie Lewis Odom. Shankleville was a close knit community of mostly the offsprings of former slaves Jim and Winnie Shankle. It was a wonderful place to live through the Great Depression. They worked, prayed, saved and helped each other. He was taught to live by Christian principles and publicly accepted Christ and was baptized at the age of 8. He was raised in the Mt. Hope Baptist Church. The pastor was Rev. Henry Truvillion who had a daughter, Ruby. Elzie met Ruby at age 14 and It was love at first sight! They married June 7, 1947 (78 years ago). Two children were born to this union: The honorable Dr. Barbara Odom-Wesley (Curtis) and Rev. Elzie D. Odom, Jr.

The young couple settled in Orange, Texas where Elzie worked as a postman. They were deeply involved in the community and raising their children, receiving awards as best parents. Elzie was ordained as a deacon in 1961and was faithful in every church they joined as they moved. He became the first African American elected to the Orange School Board in 1965 where he led the school desegregation efforts. Elzie earned appointment to the U. S. Postal Inspection service in 1967, the fifth African American to do so. This assignment took them to Los Angeles, San Antonio and Arlington.

Elzie & Ruby fell in love with Arlington and Mt. Olive Baptist Church where they have faithfully served for 46 years. Elzie was church treasurer and deacon. They became immersed in community activities. After retiring in 1987, Elzie volunteered as building manager for the construction of the new church building.

Elzie was the first African American elected to the Arlington City Council in 1990, and was elected as Mayor in 1997. While serving as the first and only Black Mayor, he was instrumental in retaining the Texas Rangers and General Motors in Arlington as well as bringing the Dallas Cowboys to Arlington. He was the first Black President of the Board for the North Central Texas Council of Governments.

In 2011, he authored his memoir, “Counting My Blessings” to give God glory and encourage others. It’s all grounded in faith resulting in boundless blessings from God.

He is preceded in death by his parents and all 7 of his siblings. He leaves a devoted wife, Ruby, of 78 years, their daughter, Barbara & son-in-law, Curtis; son, Elzie Jr. Grandchildren: Krystal James, Amber James, Clifton Wesley (Veonicca), Asheley Brown (Jeff), Victoria Sanders, Elzie Odom, III; Great grandchildren: Elizabeth, Devin, Carter, Roman and Gabriel; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.

Community Involvement:

Arlington Airport Zoning Commission

Tarrant County Crime Control & Prevention District

Arlington Fire/Police Foundation

Arlington Planning & Zoning Commission

Arlington United Black Coalition

Capital Improvement Advisory Committee

Great Southwest Rotary

NAACP Life Member

Nichols Junior High Mentor Program

North Central Council of Governments Board

State Attorney General’s Municipal Advisory

Arlington Chamber of Commerce

Foundation/Hall of Fame Super Bowl XLV Committee Member

Tarrant County Housing Partnership

Tarrant County Local Emergency Planning Liaison

Tarrant County Workforce Governing Board

Texas Municipal League, Board of Directors

Texas Municipal League, Telecommunications

UT-Arlington Presidential Search Committee

J.P. Morgan Chase Bank Advisory Board

Boys & Girls Club of Arlington Board

Home Run Arlington Committee

The Heartbeat of Arlington

The staff at Moore Funeral Home encourages family and friends to express their fond memories, expressions of sympathy and additional condolences to the family of Elzie Delano Odom, by visiting www.moore-funeralhome.com.

In addition, if you or someone you know wish to send a floral condolence to the Odom family in honor of the late Elzie Delano Odom, you may choose to do so by calling In Bloom Flowers and Gifts at (972)-256-6637.