Rev. Dr. Frazier Norton Odom
July 23, 1937 - April 20, 2021
The Rev. Dr. Frazier Norton Odom was born to the late John Quincy and Mabel (Clausell) Odom on 23 July 1937 in Buena Vista, Alabama. He was baptized as a child at Macedonia Baptist Church in Birmingham (Ensley), Alabama in 1942.
Dr. Odom graduated from Alabama Lutheran Academy, Selma, AL (1955); Immanuel Lutheran Junior College, Greensboro, NC (1957); Immanuel Lutheran Seminary (1961); Concordia University Chicago, Bachelor of Arts (1972); Concordia Seminary in Exile, Saint Louis, MO Master of Arts in Religion (1976); Chicago Theological Seminary, Chicago, IL Doctor of Ministry (1977).
Dr. Odom married Ida Watson on 12 June 1960 at Saint James Lutheran Church in Buena Vista, AL. To this union were born Pamela Lareese Deloney (Anthony) in 1961; Ina Frenae Roberson (Kirk) in 1963; John Quincy Odom (Gwendolyn) in 1964; Monique Charell Nunes (John Arthur) in 1967.
He is preceded in death by a brother, John Edward Odom, and has a surviving brother, Ameer “Sonny” Shakir.
“Grandaddy” was the beloved grandfather of fourteen: Erika, Stephenie, Frenae, Mary, Antinique, Jamia, Rachel, Tiara, Monesha, Shapria, Aujunae, John, Jr., Marshand, Amir. With pride, he embraced the ever-expanding host of the family’s great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He also was beloved by his sisters-in-law.
Dr. Odom served as Pastor, Concordia Lutheran Church, New Orleans, LA (1960-1966), Pastor, Trinity Lutheran Church, Selma, AL (1966-1968); Pastor, Faith Lutheran Church, Chicago, IL (1968-1986); Director of Urban Ministry and Pastor, Transfiguration Lutheran Church in St Louis, MO (1986-2003); Chaplain, Ted Foster and Sons White House Funeral Home (2003-2008); Interim Chaplain, the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod International Center (2010-2012); Interim Executive Director, Black Ministry (2008-2013).
Dr. Odom was committed to excellence in his ministry, to punctuality in keeping his calendar, to Law and Gospel in his preaching, to scholarship in his theology, to justice in race relations, to spiciness in his gumbo, to responsibility in raising children, and to loving dependability as “Spunkie,” Ida’s husband of 61 years.
Public Viewing
Thursday, April 29, 2021; 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm and
Friday, April 30, 2021; 9:00am to 11:00 am.
Celebration of Life
Friday, April 30, 2021; 11:00 am.
Viewing and Celebration of Life to be held at:
Grace Chapel Lutheran Church,
10015 Lance Dr. St. Louis, MO 63137
(Final arrangements and interment will be held by Chambers Funeral Home in Birmingham, AL.)