Harriet Aileen Zimmer Odom

Dr. Harriet A. Odom, L.H.D., a resident of Roswell since 1987, went to be with the Lord at home, March 4, 2004, at the age of 81. She was born Jan. 27, 1923, in Pamona, Calif. to Merrill K. and Florence Ayres Zimmer, being the fifth of six children. She is survived by her husband, George C. Odom Jr. at the home; her children, [Living ODOM] of [city], [Living ODOM] and his wife, [Living], of [city], Georgette [ODOM] and husband, [Living], of [city, state]., and Gloria [ODOM] and husband, [Living], of [city, state]; her brother, [Living] Zimmer and his wife, [Living], of [city, state].; 13 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews across the U.S.

She was reared and educated in Pamona and graduated from Pamona High School In 1940. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Pamona, having accepted Jesus as her Lord at the age of 10.

In late 1943 she joined the U.S. Navy as a WAVE. She had her boot training in New York. Then she was transferred to the Portsmouth, N.H. Navy yard as a medical technician. Harriet met George C. Odom Jr. for the first time Jan. 4, 1944 at a Bible study class held at the Navy base "Chapel on the Hill."

George had been assigned to the new submarine being built at the Portsmouth Navy Yard, the USS PLAICE.  Just before this submarine left for the Pacific war zone, Harriet and George were married March 18, 1944, at the Court Street Christian Church by the Rev. Ivar Sellavag. Harriet served for a time at the Navy yard in Boston, then was transferred for service at Ford Island, Territory of Hawaii. She was stationed in Hawaii when the Second World War ended in 1945.

After the Odoms had honorable discharges from the Navy, they studied at the Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in Chicago, finishing college courses and theological studies. The GI Bill also helped the Odoms study at the Baylor University Graduate School of Religion in Waco, Texas, to earn their master of arts degrees received in 1952.

The Odoms were appointed as missionaries to Brazil under Conservative Baptist Foreign Missionary Society in Wheaton, Ill., now known as CB International and located in Littleton, Colo. They spent 33 years in Brazil serving our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, then retired to live in Roswell in 1987.

Harriet stayed active in genealogy research, including using a computer for Internet research and e-mail correspondence, was a reading tutor at Washington Elementary School, was active in the choir and Sunday school department at Calvary Baptist Church, and took up painting and making jewelry.

Harriet donated her body to science under the care of Science Care, under the direction of Anderson-Bethany Funeral Home and Crematory.

A memorial service will be held at Calvary Baptist Church at 1009 W. Alameda, Roswell, at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 13. A luncheon at Calvary Baptist Church will follow the service.

Harriet was a warm and loving wife, mother and grandmother, and will be greatly missed!

[This obituary edited for living individuals, except Harriet’s husband George, Georgette & Gloria – used with permission.]