Mary Frances Gray Odem

Mrs. Mary Francis Gray Odem, 73, of Farrell, PA, transitioned from this earthly labor to eternal peace on Thursday, February 5, 2026.

Mrs. Odem was born June 27, 1952 in Youngstown, a daughter of John and Lucille Hays Gray. She was a 1970 graduate of The Rayen School. Mary had been employed for over 20 years with the O'Brien Nursing Home in Brookfield, OH, retiring in 2017. She was a former member of Community Missionary Baptist Church where she served on the Usher Ministry and the Culinary Committee. In her spare time, she enjoyed mystery movies, game shows, old movies, cooking, traveling and helping others, and especially being with her family. She was also a fan of the Alabama and Ole Miss University Football Teams, and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

She leaves to forever cherish her memory and to celebrate her life and legacy, her daughter, Saneka (Mamadou) Barro of Columbus; granddaughter, Aissata Barro of Columbus; eight siblings, Rose (James) Tremble, Catherine Gray, Diane Gray, and Annette Gray all of Columbus, Lucille (Randall) Nuby of Youngstown, Shirley Worth of Maryland, Richard Gray of Tennessee and James Gray of Warren; special family members, David Odem, Timothy (Mavis) Odem, Samuel (Jane) Phillips; a special friend, Martha Bassett; and a host of family and friends.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Billy Wayne Odem, who passed away April 16, 2016; siblings, Hattie Smith, Duane Gray and Janice Denson.

Visitation will be Friday, February 13, 2026 from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. at the Valley Baptist Church, 500 Sharon-New Castle Rd., Farrell, PA 16121. A Celebration of Life service will follow at 11:00 a.m. Interment will take place at Oakwood Cemetery in Hermitage, PA.

Ministry of Comfort entrusted to the L. E. Black, Phillips & Holden Funeral Home, 1951 McGuffey Rd., Youngstown, OH 44505.