Rev. Odean Wesley Puckett

Odean was born on March 4, 1932 in Jackson, MS to Ulma and Joel Thomas Puckett. He grew up in Calvary Baptist Church. He received the Bachelor of Arts Degree from Millsaps College in Jackson, the Master of Divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky and was honored to have been president of each of his graduating classes. He also did post-graduate study at Tulane University.

On July 8, 1960, Odean married the love of his life, Martha Smith of Laurel, MS, who preceded him in death in 2016. They were married for 54 years.

Rev. Puckett served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Natchez for 24 years, Parkview Baptist Church in Alexandria, LA; and First Baptist Church in Summit. Prior to these pastorates, he served as assistant pastor of First Baptist Church in Jackson and Highland Baptist Church in Laurel.

As a denominational leader, Odean served as a Trustee of the Mississippi Baptist Hospital; Trustee of the Louisiana Baptist Foundation; Trustee of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; President of the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board; and Member of the Christian Education Commission; the Baptist Record Advisory Committee; and numerous other committees in the Mississippi Baptist Convention.

He preached for the Louisiana and Mississippi Baptist Evangelism Conference, the Mississippi Baptist Convention, and numerous revivals in several states. In addition, he made six foreign mission trips in Partnership Evangelism for the For Mission Board. Upon his retirement, he taught a men’s Sunday School class until he was 85.

He is survived by his three children, Margaret Puckett Copeland (Andrew), Janet Puckett Cauthen (Scooter), and Mark Puckett; grandchildren, Wesley Cauthen, Chase Cauthen (Rachel), Margot Copeland Collins (Blake), Madison Copeland and Colin Cauthen; great grandchildren, Charlee Cauthen, Cooper Cauthen, and Kayden Cauthen.

Celebration of life services will be held on Friday, July 5th. The family will receive friends from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at the First Baptist Church of Madison, followed by a memorial service in the Sanctuary at 11:00 am. A graveside service will be held for immediate family only.