Obituaries 07/31/2025

Hilda Woodard Loper

WATER VALLEY – Hilda Woodard Loper, 90, of Water Valley, passed away on Friday, July 25, 2025, at her residence. The family celebrated her legacy of love with a graveside service, beginning at 2 p.m. on  Tuesday, July 29, at Golden Grove Cemetery in Union, Miss. Coleman Funeral Home of Oxford was in charge of arrangements.

Hilda graced this world with her presence on February 10, 1935, in Union, Miss., as one of the three children born to the late Wilson Woodard and Mary Jimmie Winnfield Woodard.

Hilda was a true lover of nature. She had a special green thumb and took great joy in gardening, surrounded by beautiful flowers that she nurtured with love. Her passion for sewing also brought her happiness, as she often created beautiful items for her family and friends. Hilda enjoyed cooking delicious meals, always making sure her family felt cared for and loved.

As a devoted member of the First Baptist Church of Water Valley, Hilda lived her life as a true child of God. She was actively involved in her church community and cherished the friendships she made there. Hilda was also a proud member of the Pink Ladies Club, dedicating her time to caring for the residents in the local nursing home, where her kindness touched many lives.

While Hilda was a private and quiet person, her love for her grandchildren was boundless. She treasured every moment spent with them, and her memories will live on in their hearts forever.
Hilda will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Her legacy of love, compassion, and a deep appreciation for nature will continue to inspire everyone she touched.

She leaves behind a loving family to continue walking down the path of life in her absence: one son, Keenan Loper of Water Valley; one daughter, Sandy (Mike) Loper Brown of Water Valley; one grandson, Parker Brown of Water Valley; and one granddaughter, Meredith Brown of Water Valley.
The loved ones who departed this life before her include her beloved husband, Jerry Loper; one son, David Loper; her parents; one brother, Mack Woodard; and one sister, Rowina Woodard Garrison.
In place of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Paul LeRoy Odom

WATER VALLEY – Dr. Paul LeRoy Odom passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at Regional One Health in Memphis.

Visitation was held at First Baptist Church in Water Valley, on Saturday, July 26, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with the funeral service following at 1 p.m. Rev. Randy Bain officiated. A private family graveside service followed with military honors at Oak Hill Cemetery in Water Valley. Seven Oaks Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements.

Dr. Odom was born August 18, 1934, in Jackson to E.H. Odom and Mittie Belle Odom. He was raised in Tchula, where he served as class president of Tchula High School. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps after graduation. He then graduated from the University of Mississippi and moved to Jackson where he attended and graduated from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine on June 2, 1963. He interned in Mobile, Ala. and completed his Residency in Ocean Springs. His first position was in radiology in New Orleans.

Practicing medicine was his true calling, and he served as a family practitioner for more than 60 years. Dr. Odom’s first medical practice began in Southeastern Kentucky in Appalachia. He and his family resided in Elkhorn City, Jenkins, Ashcamp and Pikeville for over 20 years. Dr. Odom made a huge difference in one of the United States’ neediest and impoverished regions, building a clinic and pharmacy. He was Chief of Staff of Pikeville Hospital and treated and certified Black Lung Disease for miners of the coal fields for decades.

Dr. Odom later moved to Destin, Florida and established another medical practice. He eventually moved permanently to Water Valley where he tripled the Yalobusha County Hospital’s capacity and served as Chief of Staff. He built a new clinic and nursing home where he served as Medical Director. He was also the Medical Director of the Mississippi State Veterans Home of Oxford.

Among his many honors, Dr. Odom was an Eagle Scout, a Paul Harris Award Fellow for the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International and a Kentucky Colonel. Other honors and accomplishments include serving on the Board of Directors for the Destin Rotary Club; President of the Elkhorn City Men’s Club where he was recognized for Distinguished Service; and recipient of the Braswell Hatcher Service Award for the Water Valley Chamber of Commerce.

After moving to Water Valley, Dr. Odom and his wife, Ervalene, were members of the First Baptist Church, and he was one of their Sunday School teachers for years.

He is predeceased by his parents, two brothers (Wallace and Herman), and a son, Steve. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his older sister, Lavonia Osborne, his son, Mike Odom (Emilie), his three daughters, Linda Heath (Read), Sara Odom and Molly Odom as well as four grandchildren, Asher (Sarah) Odom, Jenn Odom, Adam Brandland and Jordan Brandland. He is also survived by his beloved Yorkies, Maggie and Lucy.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, Water Valley, or the charity of your choosing. You may go online to Seven Oaks Funeral in Water Valley to leave a condolence.