Marvin Maurice Odom of Newport departed this life on Friday, December 20, 2013, at the age of 80. He was born in Grubbs on May 30, 1933, the son of Marvin Stanford Odom and Etta Payne Odom.

Mr. Odom graduated from Grubbs High School in 1951. Following high school, he attended Business College in Little Rock. Maurice joined the U.S. Air Force in January of 1952, and was honorably discharged in December of 1955, serving during the Korean War.

Mr. Maurice Odom married Miss Virginia Dale McCoy on July 4, 1954 in Batesville. The couple made their home in Newport, and over the last 59 years they have worked side-by-side, raised 4 children, enjoyed 8 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.

Maurice was no stranger to hard work. Through the last 60 years, he was well known for his strong work ethic and his philosophy of, “Do it right, or don’t do it at all.” During the 60’s and 70’s Mr. Odom worked for Sears, and he later owned and operated Odom’s G.E. Appliance and Furniture. Many will fondly remember spending countless hours under the supervision of Mr. and Mrs. Odom at Odom’s Skating Rink in Newport. Over the past 40 plus years he was owner, operator, and auctioneer of Odom’s Auctions.

Maurice was a faithful member of the Cherokee Street Church of Christ. He was also a member of the Auctioneer’s Association and a former member of the Newport Chapters of the Kiwanis Club and Optimist Club.

Mr. Odom’s greatest love and enjoyment in life was his family and he treasured the time he spent with them. One of his favorite past times was working crossword puzzles. He also enjoyed taking up the role of Santa every year at Christmas, passing out presents around the tree.

This hard working, gentle, kind, and honest man will be lovingly remembered and sorely missed as a husband, father, papaw, and friend. Maurice Odom made an everlasting impression on Jackson County.

His parents, brother, Troy Lee Odom, Sr. and sister, Geneva “Jimmie” Birdsong, preceded him in death.

Mr. Odom is survived by his wife, Virginia (McCoy) Odom of the home; his children, Marvin Dale Odom, Michael David Odom and wife, Kathy, and Jennifer Renee Odom Loftin and husband, Melvin, all of Newport, and Marcus Dean Odom and wife, Shannon, of Carbondale, Illinois. Also surviving are 8 grandchildren, David Odom, Amy Odom, Josh Loftin, Amber Odom, Lindsey Loftin, Derek Odom, Marcus Odom, Jr. and Nicole Odom; and ten great-grandchildren, Abreanna Odom, Caton Nation, Kiland Ellis, Braelyn Odom, Trinity Odom, Shaun Friar, Jeremy “Bubba” Odom, Jack Loftin, Lexi Loftin, and Jillian Odom.

Friends may visit at the funeral home on Sunday, December 22, 2013, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be Monday, December 23, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. at Jackson’s Newport Funeral Home Chapel with Mr. John Harvey officiating. Interment will be at Sullins Cemetery.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Josh Loftin, Amber Odom, Marcus Odom, Jr., Troy Odom, Jr., Freddy Humphreys, and Kenneth Grady, Sr. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren will serve as honorary pallbearers.