A Celebration of Life for Rosalyn Thames Odom will be held at 2:00 PM, Sunday, March 13, 2022, in the Worship Center of First Baptist Church West Monroe, LA. Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 PM on Saturday, March 12, 2022, at Kilpatrick Funeral Home in West Monroe. Officiating the services on Sunday will be Pastor Michael Wood and Dr. Mark Fenn. Interment will follow the Celebration of Life service on Sunday at the Gwin Cemetery in Mangham, LA. Services are under the direction and care of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of West Monroe.

On Saturday, March 5, 2022, while surrounded by family, Rosalyn Thames Odom joined Jesus in Heaven. It was, without a doubt, a glorious homecoming as the angels sang and welcomed her home. Rosalyn will be missed here on earth. She was a loving wife, supportive and encouraging mom, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and a tremendous friend to many, many friends. The legacy of her life will live through our memories of her and the stories we will tell of the way she loved and impacted others and the values she instilled in her family and friends. Rosalyn loved Jesus in a mighty way and sought to serve Him in all that she did – including in her death.

Rosalyn was born in Monroe, Louisiana, to Oretus Bowman Thames and Wilbur Cornelius Thames, Sr., both proceeding her in death. She was raised in Mangham, Louisiana, where she participated in 4-H, became an avid tennis player, and helped to take the Mangham girls basketball team to state in 1956 – 1957. She was an all-around athlete and competitive in everything she did. After graduating from Mangham High School, Rosalyn received her bachelor’s in Physical Education at LA Tech University. She loved her years at Tech and was active in the BSU, the Wesley Foundation, and the Association of Women Students. She was a proud LA Tech Bulldog. Rosalyn married E. K. “Bud” Odom in 1965 and they eventually settled in West Monroe where they’ve resided for the past 54 years. Rosalyn and Bud enjoyed a full life including a 56-year marriage. They have been active members of FBC since they moved to West Monroe.  In 2008, Rosalyn founded the “Heart to Home” program at First Baptist Church – a program that mentors young woman in the faith as they grow as young wives and moms while walking beside experienced, more mature women helping to guide their journey and encourage their growth in Christ. The program is now called Mentor Me and Rosalyn has been passionate about its success since it began. It is one of her proudest accomplishments.

Rosalyn first taught physical education after college starting at schools in Texas prior to marrying Bud, but then eventually landed at Riser Jr. High, West Monroe High School, and finally West Ouachita High School. Rosalyn was committed to serving youth and did so by continuing her education to learn how to be more effective as she moved from the classroom to guidance counseling – earning her master’s plus 30 from then Northeast Louisiana University. After her retirement in 2001, Rosalyn and Bud enjoyed traveling in their Fifth Wheel with their camping clubs, visiting their grandchildren, as well as being active at the Wellness Center, Pentatura, and multiple areas at First Baptist Church.

Rosalyn is survived by her husband, E.K. “Bud” Odom; her children and their spouses, Kimberly Odom Thompson and John Thompson from Houston, TX, Bryan Keith Odom and Ashley Odom from West Monroe, LA; grandchildren, Sam and Kesley Price, Matt and Jill Price, Jason David and Andrea Brown, Mitch and Addie Brown, Hudson Brown, and Belle Sweet; her great-grand-children, Mady Rose Price, Logan Price, and Macy Price, and her brother, W.C. “Bud” Thames and his wife, Nancy Knotts Thames. Rosalyn has a multitude of nieces, nephews and cousins that loved her dearly.

Honoring Rosalyn as pallbearers will be Matt Price, Sam Price, Jason David Brown, Mitchell Brown, Hudson Brown, Deryle Shipman, Scott Shovan, Stuart Shovan, and Will Welch. Honorary pallbearer will be Trey Thames.

There is a void in our hearts today, but we are thankful for a life well lived and that we, her family, know that she has complete healing in Heaven where her suffering has ended. We are thankful for the promises of our Lord and how Rosalyn leaned into those promises everyday -even as she found her way home to Jesus. We are better because we were loved by her.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Rosalyn’s name to First Baptist Church Mentor Me program or to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Online condolence messages may be sent to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com.

Kilpatrick Funeral Home

West Monroe, LA