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Ruby Odom, former Arlington Mayor Elzie Odom’s wife, views her husband\u2019s casket during the public viewing Nov. 26 at the city council chambers. Elzie Odom died on Nov. 17 at 96.<\/p>\n
Photo by Samarie Goffney<\/a><\/p>\n The public viewing for former Mayor Elzie Odom on Wednesday unfolded with a quiet warmth.\u00a0<\/p>\n Soft conversations drifted through the Arlington City Council Chambers as photos of Odom moved across a screen \u2013 glimpses into a life defined by service, leadership and deep community roots. <\/p>\n Odom, Arlington\u2019s first Black city council member and mayor, died earlier this month at 96. As friends and loved ones gathered for his viewing, they weren\u2019t just mourning a loss, they were celebrating the life of a man who helped shape Arlington and who left a legacy that stretched far beyond the 14 years he spent in office. <\/p>\n \u201cHe was a trailblazer in the community,\u201d Amber James, Odom’s granddaughter, said. \u201cHe always felt like service was important\u00a0and it was to be part of your life, and he taught us that from a very young age.\u201d <\/p>\n Arlington Mayor Jim Ross goes in to hug Ruby Odom during former Arlington mayor Elzie Odem\u2019s public viewing Nov. 26 at the city council chamber. Odom served Arlington as an elected official for 14 years.<\/p>\n Photo by Samarie Goffney<\/a><\/p>\n Growing up, James said Odom had a motto he instilled in his family: \u201cAin\u2019t no free lunch.\u201d She remembered laughing\u00a0at the saying with her family, wondering what it meant. <\/p>\n \u201cIt actually means,\u201d she said, \u201cservice is the price you pay for the life you live.\u201d <\/p>\n Odom carried that motto with him throughout his own.\u00a0<\/p>\n His service reached far beyond city hall as he gave his time to the Rotary Club of Arlington, the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America and the Boys and Girls Club of America, and his faith as a deacon at Mount Olive Baptist Church. <\/p>\n Those who knew Odom said his greatest devotion was to his family.\u00a0<\/p>\n Elzie and Ruby Odom were married for 78 years, having fallen in love during their teenage years. In a borrowed suit, he and Ruby exchanged vows, according to Arlington Today. <\/p>\n Alisa Simmons,\u00a0Tarrant County Precinct 2 Commissioner,\u00a0hugs Barbara Odom-Wesley, Arlington City Council member, during former Arlington mayor Elzie Odem\u2019s public viewing Nov. 26 at the city council chamber. Odom-Wesley is the eldest daughter of Elzie Odom.<\/p>\n Photo by Samarie Goffney<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cIt was just a perfect example of a committed relationship of love and support,\u201d James said. \u201cDivorce was not even a word; it was you\u2019re committed, and you\u2019re going to stay no matter what. They honored each other, they loved each other, cared for each other, like no other that you\u2019ll ever see again.\u201d <\/p>\n Bruce Maxwell, Arlington resident and member\u00a0of Mount Olive Baptist Church, 66, said Odom was a kind, compassionate and loving person. <\/p>\n Maxwell said that Odom never raised his voice, and about three weeks before his passing, the church presented him with an award. <\/p>\n \u201cA humble man he was,\u201d Maxwell said. \u201cWasn\u2019t one to look for praise, more of a bringing people together.\u201d <\/p>\n Arlington Mayor Jim Ross hugs Barbara Odom-Wesley, Arlington City Council member, during former Arlington mayor Elzie Odem\u2019s public viewing Nov. 26 at the city council chamber. The viewing was from 2 to 5 p.m.<\/p>\n Photo by Samarie Goffney<\/a><\/p>\n Fairfax, Virginia, resident Barbara Carter, 80, served as the first Black chairwoman on the Planning and Zoning Commission through a nomination by Odom. She said she saw Odom as a respectable,\u00a0distinguished and wise councilman. <\/p>\n \u201cI can be kind of a loose watch sometimes,\u201d Carter said, laughing. \u201cAnd he would keep me calm.\u201d <\/p>\n Carter said Odom always pulled the best out of people. <\/p>\n \u201cIt was almost like, when I grow up, I want to be like him,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n The lessons taught by Odom stayed with his daughter, Barbara Odom-Wesley, as she charted her own path in public life. <\/p>\n Odom-Wesely said her father never pushed her toward serving on the council, but she said it\u2019s been an honor to \u201cfollow the path that he blazed.\u201d <\/p>\n Family members and the Arlington community gather during former Arlington mayor Elzie Odem\u2019s public viewing Nov. 26 at the city council chamber. A slide show of photos was played on the screen during the ceremony.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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