Vivian Marie Murphy Odom

Vivian Marie Murphy Odom, age 88, passed away Thursday, October 10, 2019.  She was a 48-year member of St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church in Cleveland, Tennessee.

She was born in French Settlement, Louisiana on February 21, 1931 to the late Otto Murphy, Sr. and Octavia Alexis Matherne Murphy.  She married Everett William Odom, a U.S. Air Force serviceman, on July 5, 1952 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and moved to Texas.  During Everett’s 21-year Air Force career, he and Vivian were stationed in Japan and several U.S. locations while raising a family. 

In 1971, they moved to Cleveland, Tennessee.  Vivian was a housewife and mother to four children.  She was also an entrepreneur, exploring her passions in ceramics, cake decorating and catering, painting, crafts and floral arranging.  She owned Vivian’s Flowers and Gifts on Ocoee Street in the 1970s.  She was very talented and catered weddings for many years.  Her last catering job was for her own 50^th wedding anniversary in 2002.  She also sold real estate for 10 years and was a member of the Cleveland Board of Realtors.  In the 1980s and 90s, Vivian and Everett participated in craft shows in East Tennessee selling handmade crafts, flower arrangements, ceramics and porcelain dolls.  Vivian was a member of the Tennessee Artist and Creative Arts Guild and the Greater Cleveland Ceramics Association. She was a well-known artisan in Cleveland.  Vivian had a strong faith in God and her family.   She was very much loved by her family and friends.

Vivian was preceded in death by her loving husband of 63 years, Everett William Odom; parents, Otto and Octavia Murphy; sister and brother in-law, Norma Jane Murphy (Peter) Euggino; brother, Otto Dominque Murphy, Jr.; infant sisters, Sadie Mae and Laura Ann Murphy; brother in-law, Jerry Joseph Templet; nephew, Russell Joseph Euggino; niece, Norma Jane “Janie” Euggino Tanner; and nephew, Allen Murphy.

Survivors include her sister, Rose Mary Murphy Templet; children, Stephanie Lynn Odom Reali of Cleveland, Karen Ann Odom (Joey) Parker of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, John Anthony Odom of Cleveland and Susan Lee Odom (Keith) Morris of Knoxville; daughter in-law, Sherry Sampson Odom of Cleveland; grandchildren, Christopher Lee (Brigitte) Dilbeck, Michael John (Lindsay) Dilbeck, Jeffrey Alan Parker, Katherine Marie Atchley (Barton) Bailey, Kerry Jean Parker (Andy) Parker, Katey Elizabeth Parker, Jesse William Parker, Jason Brian Parker and John William “Will” Odom; great grandchildren, Zachary Ryan Dilbeck, Tyler Jacob Dilbeck, Clayton Joseph Bailey, Oliver Maddox Bailey, Emory Allison Parker and soon to arrive great granddaughter; and beloved nieces, nephews and extended family members.

A funeral mass will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 14, 2019 at St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church with Father Michael F. Nolan officiating.  Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens.  The service will include a white dove release ceremony.

Vivian’s family will receive friends from 2:00-4:00 p.m. on Sunday at Fike-Randolph & Son Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church, 900 Clingan Ridge Drive NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 or St. Joseph Catholic Church, 15710 La. Hwy. 16, French Settlement, LA 70733.

The family would like to thank everyone at Little Creek Sanitarium in Knoxville, Tennessee for their loving care for “Miss Vivian.” The family is also grateful to Avalon Hospice for their care and support during Vivian’s final days.  Special thanks to Deacons Dan and Joel from The Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Knoxville for weekly visits and delivering Holy Communion to Vivian.

We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Odom family guestbook at www.fikefh.com.