Carol Odom

Known as “The Queen of the World,” “the best friend you could ever have,” and Mimi Carol, Carol Lynn Odom, 67, of Tyler, Texas, passed away January 13, 2013. A graveside service will be held on January 17 in Austin. A memorial will be held at a future time to be announced.

Carol was born in Kermit, Texas on June 11, 1945 to Florence Louise Foster and Isaac Brown Odom. She graduated from Big Spring High School in 1963. Carol was a self-made woman who worked her way up from a job as an accounting clerk at American General Insurance Company. Carol educated herself in the early years of computers, became a programmer, and rose up to become the IT director of Houston Independent School District, later working for 20 years at Houston Community College (HCC).

When Carol retired from HCC, she was given the honorary title of “Queen of the World” because, according to her co-workers, anyone (a peer, subordinate, or even those above her) who needed a solution to an IT problem could go to her and get it. Many considered her “the smartest person [they] ever knew.” Carol had an incredible work ethic, and had a reputation for being a boss who could bring out the best in employees.

Carol had a lifetime love of music and played several instruments, including steel guitar and ukulele. Her musical interests were truly eclectic. Her favorite musical styles included Hawaiian, Salsa, and Tejano. Carol loved Celia Cruz, Lydia Mendoza, and other dynamic singers and enjoyed introducing music to others. Carol was active in the Lone Star Ukulele Festival, and served as a sponsor so musicians from other states could attend to teach and perform in the festival.

People close to Carol know that she had a quick wit and delightful sense of humor. She was also a great friend. Carol could often anticipate if you needed something and offer it to you even you hadn’t thought to ask. She was a wise advisor, generous with her time, attention, and, really, everything she had.

Carol is preceded in death by her mother, Florence L. Odom; her sister, Patricia J. Rich; and brother-in-law, Charles C. Rich; and her grandfather, Walter Foster. She is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Bettie Bridges and James Bridges; her niece, Deborah Crenshaw and husband, Henry Thomas Crenshaw; her nephew, Dewayne Bridges; her niece, Rebecca Rich-Wulfmeyer, husband, Todd Wulfmeyer, and their son, (Carol’s grandnephew) Maximillion Wulfmeyer; her niece Donna Rich; and her many cherished and beloved friends.

Funeral arrangements have been made with Cook-Walden Funeral Home in Austin, Texas. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Little Helping Hands of Austin (littlehelpinghands.org).