ODIE MAE PENNY

Soror Odie Lathan Penny peacefully transitioned on Sunday, April 3, 2026. She lived a full and beautiful life defined by faith, service, family, and a deep love for people and community. Born on April 1, 1936, in Vance, Mississippi, to the late Walter Lathan and Lula V. Cooper Lathan, Odie accepted Christ at an early age and remained steadfast in her faith throughout her life. She was a lifelong servant of the church, holding roles such as Sunday School Secretary, Teacher, Greeter, and member of the Finance Committee across several congregations, including Bellevue Baptist Church, where she faithfully served for many years. Odie was a dedicated educator who poured into generations of students. She earned her Bachelor's degree from Jackson State University and her Master's degree from Loyola University Chicago, and completed additional post-graduate studies in Administration and Supervision. Her excellence in education was recognized through numerous honors, including the Dedicated Teacher Award for Meritorious Service and recognition among the Outstanding Elementary Teachers of America. A proud and devoted member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, initiated into the Gamma Rho Chapter in 1955, Soror Odie remained actively engaged for decades through the Theta Omega Chapter. She served in numerous leadership and service roles, including chairing AkArama, serving as a delegate to regional and Boule conferences, participating on regional committees, mentoring youth through the Teen Perspectives Committee, and supporting community initiatives such as Dress for Success programs. Her commitment to sisterhood, service, and excellence left a lasting impact on all who knew and worked alongside her. Odie had a love for life that extended far beyond her professional and service commitments. She was an avid traveler who explored the world with curiosity and joy, visiting destinations across China, Russia, Japan, Africa, South America, and Australia. Whether traveling, cooking, reading, solving crossword puzzles, or simply spending time with loved ones, she embraced life fully and with grace. She was united in holy matrimony to her beloved husband, James Penny, with whom she shared 70 years of love, partnership, and devotion. She was preceded in death by her beloved son, Selwyn Andre Penny. She leaves to cherish her memory her devoted daughter, Tanya Penny Woods; her dearly loved son-in-law, Vernon Woods; her grandson, Joseph Paige and his wife, Dawn Paige; and her two precious great-granddaughters, Ryan Paige and Cameron Paige. She is also survived by her favorite brother-in-law, Jerome Penny and a host of loving nieces, nephews, and cousins including Angela Penny, Anthony Penny (Val Penny), Bridgette XX (Ken) and Tamika Penny Also cherishing her memory are her chosen goddaughters, Adrienne Davis Hill, Vera Willis, and Sharon Collins, along with their loving families, all of whom held a special place in her heart. In addition to her family, Soror Odie leaves behind a cherished community of sorors, church family, former students, colleagues, neighbors, and lifelong friends whose lives were enriched by her wisdom, kindness, faith, and unwavering spirit. She will be remembered for her unwavering faith, her generosity of spirit, her commitment to uplifting others, and her belief in living a life of dignity, integrity, and service. Her legacy lives on in the countless lives she impacted-and in the example she set as a woman of strength, grace, and purpose

ODIE MAE PENNY

April 1, 1936 - May 3, 2025