Shortly before three, on the afternoon of December 14, 2016, our Heavenly Father summoned the earthly life of His daughter Rementha Inez Wright Odom, calling her from labor to reward.
The second of nine children, Rementha was born on November 14, 1932, in Skippers, Virginia to the late Garland and Queen Victoria Perkins Wright. At an early age, she was taught the importance of having faith in God, living an honorable life, and treating others with humility and respect. Because she possessed these qualities, she was able to experience God’s favor in her life as she continued along her journey. In her youth, she joined the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Skippers, where she remained active well into adulthood and maintained familial affiliation until she was called home.
After completing her education in the public schools of Greensville County, Virginia, Rementha matriculated at the Norfolk Division of Virginia State College where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education in 1958. Her desire to teach would later prosper into a career that spanned almost 40 years and highlighted numerous accomplishments, including several “Teacher of the Year” awards and nominations, acknowledgements for outstanding achievements, and various leadership appointments while teaching in both Portsmouth and Norfolk public school systems from 1958 until her retirement from Norfolk Public Schools in June 1996. By far, her greatest accomplishment, however, is evidenced by the thousands of children whose lives have been positively impacted by her caring and nurturing spirit and her willingness to ensure that every first- or second-grader who entered her classroom had a profound learning experience as a child in Mrs. Odom’s class.
Shortly after finishing her studies at “Little State,” Rementha’s journey was once again granted God’s favor. A handsome, young civil servant swept her off her feet, and after a couple of trips to Skippers to meet the family and partake of some “down home” eating, Roy decided that he had found his “good thing.” On June 10, 1960, in Portsmouth, Virginia, Roy and Rementha exchanged vows and became husband and wife, a union that remained resilient for over 56 years. Into this union, two daughters were born: Robyn LaVorne (1965) and Rita Michelle (1968). Second only to her relationship with God, her family received her unconditional love and support, for she was a “pillar of strength” in her home. In 1996, shortly after retiring, Rementha welcomed the “apple of her eye,” Naiya Richelle, her only grandchild.
Prior to her illness, Rementha embraced the opportunity to enjoy all that life had to offer. She enjoyed traveling, sightseeing, and attending play productions. In her leisure, she also loved quilting, canning, and baking. “Aunt Dot,” as she was affectionately called, was always happy to bless her family members with fresh pear preserves, cucumber or watermelon rind pickles, and mouth-watering prune cakes. Family gatherings meant the world to her. She cherished the moments spent with her siblings Eurvin, Melcine, Clyde, Helen, Charles, Mollie Jean, Garland Jr., and Earl and their families, reflecting on the “good old days,” until one-by-one our Heavenly Father called each of them to Glory.
With a heart of gold, Rementha served God in many capacities. After the passing of her mother in 1983, she was able to dedicate more of her time to serving at Queen Street Baptist Church. She was a member of the church’s Diaconate Board, the Senior Choir, the Sheepfold Ministry, the Christian Education Ministry, and the Missionary Circle. She was a diligent worker until her health prevented her from continuing to serve.
As life would have it, Rementha Inez Wright Odom’s journey is complete. Those left to treasure beautiful memories include her husband, Roy Odom; two daughters, Robyn Odom of Norfolk, VA, and Rita Odom of Richmond, VA; one granddaughter, Naiya Richelle Odom-Smith of Norfolk, VA; one sister, Frances Sanderlin of Portsmouth, VA; two sisters-in-law, Pauline Wright of Richmond, VA, and Ethel Vernell Wright of Chesapeake; one brother-in-law, Ernest Holmes of Richmond, VA; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.