Ralph William Odom

Beloved father, grandfather, and brother Ralph William Odom, 91, of Sunset Hills, Morristown, TN, a life-long resident and businessman of Morristown and Sneedville, TN went to be with the Lord on September 19, 2018.  

Born February 21, 1927 in Hancock County, TN.  Lived in Sneedville until he moved with his family to Morristown in 1957.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles B. Odom and Mattie Wilburn Odom, step-mother Myrtle Wilder Odom, and 4 siblings, Grace Odom Lawson, Gladys Odom Lamb, Opal Odom Trent, and Paul Austin Odom. Survived by his children, daughter Patricia Sue Odom Kuhlo, Thompson’s Station, TN and son Roger Odom and daughter-in-law Melissa Johnson Odom, Morristown.  Four grandchildren, Becca Blanc, Thompson’s Station, Vanessa Odom, Cookeville, Tucker Kuhlo, Fairview, and Spencer Odom, Cookeville; siblings, Ruby Odom Greene, Sneedville, and Charlie B. Odom (Virgina), Morristown, several nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and special friend Mary Frost. He was married for 52 years to Clella Smith Odom (deceased).  

Ralph was a long-time member of Duck Creek Baptist Church, Sneedville, and a current member of First Baptist Church of Morristown. He was a 60 year member of the Sneedville Lodge #277, F&AM. 

Ralph started his career driving a rolling store truck at the age of 18 that his father and partner Bud Roberts owned together in Hancock County.  At 20, he drove a bus for Hancock County, transporting customers 2 to 3 times a week to downtown Morristown. He also drove a mail truck for the postal service in Sneedville.  In the early 50’s Ralph was the owner-operator of Sneedville Shell Service Center. Then he and his wife opened Sneedville’s first Dairy Queen. Before moving to Morristown, he and his father opened 5-Point Market in Buffalo Trail. In 1956, Ralph worked briefly for the Rayon Staple Plant of ENKA and Morristown Lincoln-Mercury before opening his own Phillips 66 Service Station on East Main Street.  He owned and operated that business from 1958 until 1964.  In 1965 Ralph opened, owned, and operated Ralph Odom’s Texaco and Tire on West Morris Blvd across from the Ford Dealership.  It was during this time that Ralph earned a strong reputation among his customers for his mastery of high speed strobe light tire balancing. With plans to retire in 1981, Ralph sold the business but missed his loyal customers and his love of servicing their vehicles; thus, he again opened another tire business in 1982 on the east end of Morristown, Ralph Odom’s Tire and Service Center,  across from the old “Sky City” and served the community there until 1995 when he retired for the final time to enjoy his hobbies of cattle farming and spending time with his grandchildren.  During the last few years of his life,  Ralph was known to often tell others, “The most important thing is your relationship with Jesus Christ.”  He will be sadly missed by all those who knew him, especially his family. 

The family will receive friends Saturday, September 22, 2018 from 2:00- 4:00 pm in the East Chapel at Allen Funeral Home.  Funeral services in the East Chapel of Allen Funeral home on Sunday, September 23, 2018 at 2:00 pm with Dr. Dean Haun and Rev. Kester Bunch officiating.  Graveside service will follow the funeral in the Odom Family Cemetery located in the Duck Creek Community in Sneedville.  

Thanks to the Staff of Jefferson Memorial Hospital, particularly, Regina Byrd, NP,  Tabatha Sparks, NP, and the caring nurses who attended him during his brief illness there.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Baptist Church of Morristown Building Fund and/or The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, either online or by mail at 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28201.

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