Mrs. Jean Odum, 77, of Elkton, passed away Sunday, January 18, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Hospice House of Southern Kentucky in Bowling Green, KY. Services will be on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Bethel United Methodist Church in Todd County. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be on Thursday from 11:00 a.m. until the funeral hour at 1:00 p.m. at the church. Latham Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Jean was born in Christian County on October 9, 1948. She was a retired teacher from the Todd County School System after 27 years of service. Jean received her high school diploma from Todd County Central, her B.A. degree from Western Kentucky University, and her Master’s Degree from Austin Peay State University. She was a member of Bethel United Methodist Church, where she served as treasurer and a Lay Speaker. Also, Jean was active in the Burden Bearers Chaplain Service of Todd and Logan Counties, the Retired Teachers Association, the Kentucky Community Crisis Response Team, the International Conference of Police Chaplains, and the Kentucky Federation of Fire Chaplains.
She is preceded in death by her husband, John Odum Jr., in 2000; her parents, Conway Moris Roper and Estelle Watson Roper; her mother-in-law, Jane Odum; and her sister-in-law, Vicki Odum.
She is survived by her aunt and uncle Tommy and O Dean Borders of Elkton, her sister in law Jandy Kelley of Dallas, TX, her honorary granddaughter and shopping buddy Victoria Leneave of Elkton, her cousins Judy Toombs and her husband Robert of Elkton, Eddie Borders and his wife Elizabeth of Elkton, Stevie Watson and his wife Zell of New York Janet Watkins and her husband David of Elkton, Debbie Moore of Elkton, Linda Lawrence of Alabama, Kathy Beckman of Alabama, Carla Roper of Louisville, KY, and other cousins and friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Gideons P.O. Box 4, Elkton, KY, or Bethel United Methodist Church 109 Howard Circle, Elkton, KY 42220
