Houston O'Fenton Odom

Houston “Sam” O’Fenton Odom, of Stanardsville, Virginia, passed away peacefully on January 19, 2025, at the age of 82. Sam was born on January 28, 1942, in Newton County, Mississippi, and was preceded in death by his mother, Ruby E. Jacobs Dykes, his brothers, Robert Jacob Odom and Guy Randall Odom, and his sister, Mary Odom Vick. 

He is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Margaret “Maggie” Odom, and three daughters: Debbie Dickson (Jim) of Nashville, TN, Jennifer McCalley of San Diego, CA, and Cheryl Gramling (Dana) of Springfield, VA. Sam is also survived by nine grandchildren, Jordan Little (Coleman), Mady Howell (Graham), Caleb Cunningham (Tiffany), Bella Lopez (Jack), Anna Cunningham, Jack McCalley, Geoff McCalley, Kaitlyn Gramling, and Chelsea Gramling, as well as four great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Sam proudly served his country and was a decorated veteran of the U.S. Navy, where he served for twenty years. After his service, he worked for Freddie Mac until he and Maggie retired to Stanardsville in 2003 for a much more peaceful and simplistic life. Sam appreciated nature and was a talented painter. He often found inspiration at the beach and in the Blue Ridge mountains of southern Virginia for his paintings. Known by his call sign KD4WTB, Sam was an avid HAM radio operator and developed countless friendships through the airwaves during his many years as an operator. Sam was a cherished member of Nortonsville Church of God in Dyke, where his dry wit and kind (albeit sometimes grumpy) heart was greatly loved and appreciated. Sam’s unique warmth and generosity will be deeply missed by those who knew him.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Sam’s many skilled doctors for their exceptional care in recent years. A special thanks goes to the compassionate nurses and staff at the University of Virginia Medical Center, whose steadfast dedication and tender care brought much comfort to Sam and his family in his final days.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 PM on Friday, January 24, 2025, at Nortonsville Church of God, 1505 Simmons Gap Road, Dyke, Virginia. A Celebration of Life will follow on Saturday, January 25th at 11:00 AM at Nortonsville Church of God, with interment to follow at Evergreen Cemetery. All are invited to return to the church fellowship hall for a meal following the burial. For those unable to attend in person, the service will be streamed live at https://facebook.com/nortonsvillecog. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Charlottesville Ronald McDonald House, 300 9th Street, SW, Charlottesville, Virginia, 22903, or to the Nortonsville Church of God. 

Arrangements are entrusted to Batten Funeral Home of Ruckersville, Virginia. For those wishing to share memories or offer condolences, an online guestbook is available at www.battenfuneral.com. Your kind words will bring comfort and strength to the family during this time.