Minna Jane Odom, 88, of Athens, Texas passed away on November 29, 2024. She was born in Marshall, Texas on March 10, 1936 to the late Ben and Myriam Sage. Minna Jane graduated from Jacksonville High School in 1954 then earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from North Texas State College in Denton, Texas in 1958. Minna Jane married Max Odom on May 31, 1958 and they were married for 66 years before his passing in September 2024. Minna Jane was a devoted wife and full-time mother who was deeply involved in "all things" family. She served as Den Mother, Room Mother and PTA President as well as spending countless hours raising funds to support the JJ Pearce Booster Club while her children were in school. After her children were grown, Minna Jane spent many years as a long-term substitute Physical Education teacher for the Richardson Independent School District. Minna Jane was a lifelong Christian demonstrating her faith in the way she lived and loved. She was a member of First Baptist Church Richardson, Texas and First Baptist Church Athens, Texas for over 60 years. Minna Jane served in a number of roles including volunteering for many years at the Helping Hands Children's Clothing Ministry at First Baptist Church Athens which became her passion. Minna Jane was instrumental in growing the program and felt it was her calling to help others providing clothing and school uniforms to thousands of families in need. She instilled the call to service in her grandchildren enlisting them to volunteer at the Clothes Closet and Vacation Bible School. Minna Jane was known by many names including MJ, Sister Baby and Mom with her favorite being Gran. She was an avid sports enthusiast playing basketball, softball, volleyball and later tennis. She was very proud of playing on and coaching the winning state church league softball championship beating much younger players with her "older" ladies from FBC Richardson, Texas. She rarely missed any of her children's or grandchildren's events and travelled far and wide to watch all of them. She loved to fish and you could count on the fact she would always catch the most and the biggest. Minna Jane and Max lived on Lake Athens for many years and her greatest joy in life was having the grandkids spend time with them volunteering, tubing, skiing, fishing and playing games at "Camp Odom". She and Max were the very definition of ideal grandparents who would change any plan to be available to support their family. Left to cherish Minna Jane's memory are her sons, Mike Odom (Sharon) and Danny Odom (Lynn); grandchildren, Heather Pena (Sam), Carly Hughes (Cody), Mitchell Odom (April), and Clayton Odom (Darbi); great grandchildren, Gavin and Cooper Pena; and a large extended family. Minna Jane touched so many lives and her life should serve as a model for us all. We love you Gran. You will be greatly missed but never forgotten. The family would like to extend heartfelt appreciation to the staff at Arabella of Athens and Toby Redmann ACNP at Christus Heart and Vascular Institute in Tyler for their thoughtful, compassionate and comforting care. Special thanks to Paige Manis RN at Traditions Home Health for her incredible professional care and advice over the years. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday February 1, 2025 at First Baptist Church Athens, Texas. Visitation will be at 12:30 p.m. followed by a Celebration of Life at 1:30 p.m. Burial will follow Saturday afternoon at Jacksonville City Cemetery in Jacksonville, Texas. In lieu of flowers, Minna Jane respectfully requested monetary donations to the First Baptist Church of Athens Children's Clothes Closet at 105 S. Carroll St, Athens, TX 75751.