Rita Elizabeth "Libby" Odum

Rita Elizabeth "Libby" Odum, 85, resident of Wesley Meadows Retirement Community and formerly of Independence, MS, died Friday November 16, 2018. Mrs. Odum had a remarkably full life in which she had at once worked for Carter's in Senatobia, MS, but ultimately spent the majority of her career with Baptist Hospital where she retired. Her love of music in worship led her to serve for 30 years as pianist for New Hope Baptist Church where she was a member. Mrs. Odum enjoyed crocheting and knitting and loved to travel with her friends. Over the course of her life, Mrs. Odum had the opportunity to travel to Paris, London, and Monaco, among many other destinations. She enjoyed gardening and canning but nothing could fill her life with joy quite like her grandchildren and great-grandchildren who were her world. In Addition to her parents, Mrs. Odum was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Wade Odum and her brother, Bernard "Bernie" Burks. She is survived by her son, Kenneth Eugene Odum, her daughter, Kendra Joann Freeman (Wayne), three grandchildren, Neil Freeman (Jessica), Jody Freeman (Jamie), and Audrey "Beth" Hildreth, and eleven great-grandchildren, Kathryn Lewallen (Matthew), Carter Freeman, Ali Freeman, Hayes Freeman, Jake Freeman, Lucy Freeman, Sean Hildreth, Mason Hildreth, London Hildreth, Ty Ward and Cole Ward (Lena).The family will receive friends Monday November 19, 2018 from 9am until the funeral service begins at 10am, all at Brantley Funeral Home of Olive Branch. Interment will follow in New Hope Baptist Church Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wesley Meadows Retirement Community or New Hope Baptist Church Cemetery Fund. The family also wishes to acknowledge and thank the staff of Wesley Meadows and Specialty Hospice for their wonderful and compassionate care. Online condolences may be expressed by visiting www.brantleyfuneral.com.