Vanessa I. Odom

Vanessa I. Odom passed peacefully into the arms of her Savior on May 08, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family in Fort Worth, Texas. She was 80 years old. A woman of deep faith, quiet strength, and tireless generosity, Vanessa lived a life rich in purpose, service, and love. Born on January 04, 1945, in Alabama, she carried the heart of the South with her in all that she did. She was a lifelong learner, earning her B.A. and M.E.D in Education from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and dedicating many years to teaching Spanish, French, and history in both high school and college classrooms. Vanessa's love of language extended beyond the classroom. She used her bilingual skills to serve others, translating for mission trips to Guatemala and building bridges between cultures with tenderness and compassion. During her summers, she taught advanced first aid to some of the most underserved communities in Central America, embodying her belief that every person deserved care and dignity. Later in life, Vanessa found a second calling in real estate, becoming a respected and accomplished realtor. She brought integrity, wisdom, and heart to her work, helping hundreds of families find their homes and build their dreams. Her colleagues admired her professionalism, but even more, they cherished her authenticity and kindness. She mentored younger agents, led with quiet confidence, and always put people before profits. Yet Vanessa's greatest joys were found not in accolades or achievements, but in relationships. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her love for her family was constant and unwavering. She nurtured with grace, encouraged with wisdom, and prayed with faith. Her home was filled with warmth, music, and the gentle hum of a life lived in step with God. Music was one of Vanessa’s lifelong companions. She served as a church pianist for decades, shared her gift of piano with students in her home, and even taught herself to play the flute and violin in her final years, simply for the joy of learning something new. Her music, like her presence, offered comfort and lifted the spirit. Vanessa also gave herself generously to her church and community. She taught women’s Bible studies, led Sunday school classes, served in prison ministry, and was a faithful pianist and friend to many. She held leadership roles in neighborhood associations and took seriously her call to make the world around her more compassionate and just. Among the many ways Vanessa poured her love into the lives of others, her quilting held a special place. With every stitch, she created not just beautiful works of art, but gifts of comfort and care. Her quilts became heirlooms of love for her family and friends, and she even donated quilts to support the Navarro County Sheriff's Office, offering warmth and hope to those in need. Quilting was one of the quiet ways she wrapped others in her kindness. Those who knew Vanessa knew her as steady, wise, and full of heart. She listened closely. She loved deeply. And she believed, always, that God walks with us, even through the valleys. Vanessa is survived by her son, E. Norman (Norm) Carter III, her five grandchildren, Earl Norman (Nick) Carter IV (Hallie), Courtney A. Carter Fields (Devon), Joshua Scout Carter (Megan), Samantha J. Carter, and Caleb Trae Carter, as well as her beloved great-grandchildren, Tucker Fields and Tallulah Carter. A celebration of her life will be held at Brown Service Funeral Home, Bessemer, AL, 1230 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to Good Samaritan Baptist Missions https://goodsamaritan.ms/ in memory of and to honor Vanessa’s lifelong commitment to faith, learning, and service. Vanessa’s life was a beautiful testimony of love in action. She leaves behind a legacy that will live on in the many hearts she touched. While we grieve her passing, we give thanks for the gift of her presence, and we trust that she now rests in the eternal peace of her heavenly home.

Vanessa I. Odom

January 4, 1945 - May 8, 2025