Corley Walton Odom M.D.

Corley Walton Odom, M.D., 97, of Gadsden, died Monday, May 25, 2015, at home. Services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Crestwood Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. David Driskill officiating. Burial will follow in Crestwood Cemetery with Crestwood Funeral Home directing. Visitation will be the two hours preceding the service at the funeral home.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Sarah Frances Odom; son-in-law, DeWayne Williams; great-granddaughter, Milly Brandon Massengale; father, Dr. Henry Grady Odom; mother, Gaye Walton Odom; sister, Elsie Ruth Odom; and brother, Hubert Grady Odom.
Survivors include son, Corley W. Odom Jr. (Jan); daughters, Becky Odom Driskill (Mike), Molly Odom Williams; seven grandchildren, Eric Williams (Heather), Nicole (Williams) Gilliland, John Driskill (Jen), David Driskill, Mark Driskill (Ashley), Ashley Odom, Rachel (Odom) Massengale (Brandon); and seven great-grandchildren, Kylee and Hannah Williams, Evie, Lydia and Ben Driskill, and Henry Driskill.
Dr. Odom was born in Memphis, Tenn., and grew up in Irondale. He was a graduate of Shades Cahaba High School and Howard College (now Samford University). He then went to medical school at the University of Alabama for two years and received his M.D. from the University of Tennessee. He served as a doctor in Europe for the United States Army in World War II, rising to the rank of Captain. After the war, he completed his surgical residency at Caraway Methodist Hospital in Birmingham and the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Soon thereafter he moved to Gadsden, where he practiced medicine for over 40 years, ministering to countless patients and their families during that time. In his professional career, he had a thriving private surgical practice and faithfully served as the physician for the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company Plant in East Gadsden. In addition, he was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (F.A.C.S.), a founding partner of the MAB Medical Group, and served in several other capacities.
Dr. Odom, however, considered himself first and foremost a disciple of Jesus Christ and endeavored to live his life to glorify God. He was a charter member of MeadowBrook Baptist Church and remained a member there until his death. He served there as Sunday School Director, Sunday School Teacher, Chairman of the Board of Deacons, Chairman of the Pulpit Committee, and in many other ways far too numerous to count.
He was also a longtime member of the Gideons International, and spoke at many churches to help raise funds to place Bibles around the world.
Dr. Odom's favorite hobby was undoubtedly fishing, and he developed and nurtured some of his deepest friendships through this pastime. He also loved fishing with this family and enjoyed taking his children and grandchildren on fishing trips to local lakes and the Gulf of Mexico. He loved re-telling jokes and stories to his family and friends; he enjoyed reading and "piddling" in his workshop.
Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Eric Williams, John Driskill, David Driskill, Mark Driskill, Brandon Massengale, very special family friend Jesse Feggins.
Honorary pallbearers will be Reginald Jones, Mary Anne Loggins and Roger Barlow.
In addition the family would like to publicly thank many special friends who ministered to him, including Dr. James Robinson, Mrs. Pat Martin, the Allay Ministry (MBBC), special caregivers Christy, Elizabeth, Susan, Dianna, Julie and Lawley Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Big Oak Ranch, the Alabama Baptist Children's Home and the Gideons International.