Cecil Keith Odom

Cecil Keith Odom, 97, went to be with His Savior on Friday, February 28.  Born in Wayne County, NC, Cecil was the youngest of five children.  After living a long life, he was the last survivor of that generation.  One brother died at an early age during WWII, but the other brother and sisters lived to be 96 - 103 years old.

Cecil met the love of his life, Merle Jackson, at Piney Grove School.  They didn't begin dating until he went away to college where he earned his Bachelor's Degree at UNC-Chapel Hill.  After a four-year courtship, they were married on March 29, 1949.  They were constant companions and best friends for 69 years, until Merle's passing in 2018.  Their long and dedicated marriage was an inspiration to all who knew them.

Cecil was an active and dedicated member of Brownings Methodist Church where he served in many capacities, including being an active and integral member of the Methodist Men's group.  If the church doors were open, he, Merle and their children, Angel and Keith, were there. Because of Cecil's "unique" characteristics, some of which he was lovingly picked on for, regularly attending church folk and visitors always expected Cecil to be the first in line for any meal held at the church. He was also an active member of the Masonic Lodge. 

Cecil was the founder of Farm Bureau Insurance Agency in Sampson County.  He was responsible for its birth and growth until he retired.

He is survived by his two children, four grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. 

He was greatly admired, respected and loved by his family and his community and will be dearly missed.

A visitation will be held from 1:30pm-2:30pm on Saturday, March 8 at Brownings Methodist Church, 6505 Mount Olive Hwy, Mount Olive, NC.  Funeral service will be at 3:00pm at the church.  Burial will be Sunday, March 9 at 1:00pm at Wayne Memorial Park.

Dunn Funeral Home of Newton Grove is honored to serve the family of Cecil Odom.

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