Marilyn Odum Feimster, 87, of Wilmington, NC, passed away peacefully on September 18, 2026, at Lower Cape Fear Life Care. She was surrounded by her loving family, friends, and her dog, Lucky. She is preceded in death by her husband, James B. Feimster; son, Robert Wade Feimster; brother, Donald Odum, Sr.
She was born on May 19, 1939, to Ralph and Dorothy Odum in Swansboro, NC, and graduated from Swansboro High School in 1958. She attended college in Wilmington, NC, where she met her husband. Together, they owned Jimmy’s Co-operative Hardware at 13th & Castle Street, where they enjoyed serving their community and getting to know the people who came through their doors. She also loved the years she spent serving breakfast and lunch to the kids at Wrightsboro Elementary School. Her coworkers became her sisters. Her many hobbies included gardening, baking, sewing, and crafting. She loved to cook for her family and friends. You never left her house hungry, and you usually left with a to-go plate. She was a devoted member of First Advent Christian Church, where she loved attending services and spending time with her church family. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
She is survived by her daughter, Janice Feimster, and her son, Bruce Feimster (wife, Tammy). Grandchildren, Jennifer Sutterlin (husband, Mason), Summer Buchanan (husband, Matthew), Wayne Feimster, and Aidan Anderson. Great-grandchildren, Dalton and Paislee Buchanan; Layla, Rylie, and Cora Sutterlin. Her fur-baby, “Lucky”. Brothers, Jimmy Odum (wife, Debbie); Cater Odum (wife, Debbie); and many cousins, nephews, and nieces.
Her family would like to thank all of the wonderful staff on the PCU at Novant Health NHRMC and at the Lower Cape Fear Life Care Center.
The family welcomes memorial donations to the Lower Cape Fear Life Care Center in Marilyn’s memory, in lieu of flowers.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, September 24th from 5-7pm at Andrews Mortuary Valley Chapel 4108 S. College Rd, Wilmington, NC 28412.
The Funeral Service will be held on Friday, September 25th at 11am; also at Andrews Mortuary Valley Chapel. A graveside service will follow at 1pm at Sea Lawn Memorial Park, 17750 US-17, Hampstead, NC 28443.
