Mary Alice Massengale Odom passed away on August 31, 2024.
Mary Alice was born in downtown Fayetteville, GA on November 28, 1941. As the youngest child, she was the first of her siblings to be born in a clinic outside of the home.
Growing up, Mary Alice enjoyed large family gatherings, spending time on the farm, and visiting relatives.
Her father was the last person to run Starr’s Mill, and she loved to recount times of sitting on the widely photographed dam shooting water moccasins or fishing.
Mary Alice attended Fayette County Schools and later retired from working in the same school system. She graduated from Fayette County High School in 1959 and was often in touch with former classmates enjoying monthly breakfasts together.
She attended Massey Business College and began a lifelong career of secretarial work starting with the Georgia Baptist Home Mission Board in Atlanta. One of her favorite stories was finding her wedding dress in downtown Atlanta on a lunch break.
Mary Alice grew up at Fayetteville First Baptist, where she and Don raised their children. She served on the Pastor Search Committee for the late Reverend Jack Overton. She was WMU Director, a Sunday School Secretary and volunteered in both the nursery and Vacation Bible School.
Mary Alice and Don proudly helped with G.A.’s, R.A.’s and Boy Scouts of America. More recently, they completed the Fayette County Sheriff’s Citizen Academy for Fayette County.
She and Don continued to “date” throughout life and could often be seen out to dinner around town or enjoying outdoor concerts at the local amphitheater.
Mary Alice treasured her Sunday School class, which was a source of comfort and strength for her. She loved to send cards and thank you notes keeping them on hand for many occasions. Mary Alice also loved to play Canasta with her sister, teaching all her children to play, and later sharing the card game with her grandchildren.
Mary Alice and Don began their new life together in August 1964 and recently celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary on a family cruise. They joined other church members on multiple trips like an Alaskan cruise, visiting Greece and following Paul’s ministry in Ephesus.
Girls’ beach trips with childhood friends were one of Mary Alice’s favorite memories. She also cherished the annual family vacations started with their kids on Jekyll Island and later including grandchildren in Gulf Shores. She recently enjoyed warm ocean waters in Silver Cove on Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas.
Don Odom was the love of her life, and she cherished her marriage more than anything. They took great delight in stuffing stockings for the whole family each Christmas. Mary Alice loved her family and friends, who she considered family. She was fun, sociable and could carry on a lively conversation with almost anyone.
Co-workers and friends called her “MAO.” Her Grandchildren adored her and called her “Mamo.” She will be missed so very much by many.
Mary Alice was preceded in death by her parents, Bernice Eula Shell Massengale and William Kendrick Massengale, her brothers Mercer (Bill) and Oliver Massengale, and her sister, Mildred Massengale Jones.
Mary Alice is survived by her husband, Charles Donald (Don) Odom and their children, Dan Odom (Leslie), Lorelei Shipp (Joel) and Elaine Poitevint (Thad); and four grandchildren, Kenan Poitevint, Will Poitevint, Sarabeth Odom and Aaron Poitevint; her sisters-in-law, Ruth Massengale, Trixie Whitworth, and Janice Odom, along with many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins.
A service will be held in the Overton Chapel at Fayetteville First Baptist Church on Saturday, September 7 at 12:00 p.m. The family will receive family and friends from 10:00 a.m.-11:45 a.m. in the chapel. A private inurnment service will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fayetteville First Baptist Church.
We welcome you to leave your condolences, thoughts, and memories of Mary on our Tribute Wall. Mowell Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Fayetteville, www.mowells.com
