Neal Lewis Odom

Neal Lewis Odom was born July 15, 1946 in Mt. Pleasant, Tennessee He was the son of the late Emmitt Eugene Odom and Katie Marie Chapman Odom. Neal passed away on Thursday, April 11, at Maury Regional Medical Center following an extended illness.

Neal had a passion for mules and horses. His yearly attraction was Mule Day. He started preparing for Mule Day months in advance. He was preparing for Mule Day this year when he became ill with bilateral pneumonia and was hospitalized. After he was extubated, some of his first words spoken were, "We went to Mule Day didn't we?" He may not have attended the event physically but he attended the event mentally.

Neal did not have children of his own but he loved all his nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews. He had a big ole heart. He melted when the children would say "Uncle Neal." Special thanks to Dylan, Devin, Sebastian, Will and Allen for helping Neal with all his chores and animals for the last few years. He also shared a bond with Tracy Scott, Timmy Kennedy, Tonya Davis, Angie Adams and Ben Adams.

Neal is survived by eight sisters: Bobby Gene Janie Workman, Harold Betty Reed, Pamela Poston, James Kathy Brown, Danny Sharon Estes, Tom Gay McManamon, Carl Jo Workman and Jack Shelia Patterson. He is also survived by two brothers: Ray Cathy Odom and Jeff Peggy Odom. Neal also had a special friend, Margie Morton. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Thomas Carolyn Massey and W.H. Nancy Workman, one brother, Bobby Gene Odom, one nephew, Matthew Eugene Patterson, one niece, Lisa Eileen Boshers and his step-daughter, Kelly Adams., along with his beloved dog, Bingo.

Funeral services for Neal will be conducted Saturday at 2:00 P.M. in the chapel of Williams Funeral Home in Mt. Pleasant with Ricky Mabry, Jr., and Jeff Smith officiating. Neal will then take his final ride to Arlington Cemetery in one of his wagons pulled by his team of mules, Tom and Jethro, driven by Allen Massey.

The family will visit with friends on Friday from 9:00 A.M. – 9:00 P.M. at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Dylan Massey, Devin Massey, Adam Mark Laws, Cody Howell, Sebastian English, Will Kittrell, Jacob Patterson, Phillip Brown and Greg Brown. Honorary pallbearers will be the employees of Industrial Contractors, special friends: Mike Penrod, Stevie Anderson and Anthony Baker.

Special thanks to the nurses on 1st West and ICU at MRMC, especially Tyler Boshers, Michael Blocker. Leasia Flatts and Leann Peters. Special thanks to the Respiratory Team for all their hard work, especially Lindsay Spears McCall and Robin Weaver. Most of all, sincere appreciation for Dr. Thomas Quinn and Dr. Maura Lipp. Thanks for all your patience and understanding. Special thanks to Jennifer Laws for all her help and updates. Special thanks to all of Neal's Amish friends who have cared for and trained his horses/mules.