Edwin Lawton Odum

Edwin Lawton “Sonny” Odum, 92, died peacefully at Community Hospice House on Thursday, November 28, 2024, after a lengthy battle with cancer. A New Years Day baby, Sonny was born on January 1,1932 in Blackshear, GA. He is the son of the late James George Odum and Mary Alma Morris Odum Thompson. A proud Navy Veteran, he served the United States of America as a Storekeeper (SK2). His duty stations included the USS Kermit Roosevelt in the South Pacific and Memphis Naval Air Station in Memphis, TN. Unfortunately, he developed severe sea sickness which ended his honorable naval career after 5 years in 1953. He met his love of 64 years, Shirley, while working in Augusta, Georgia at the Savannah River Plant. They were married in 1959 and moved to Toombs County to begin their long life together. 

Sonny was a Christian and committed his life to serving his church family. As a charter member of The Oaks Baptist Church in Lyons, he was dedicated to its growth and ministry by serving in many roles. Most Sunday mornings you would find he had arrived early enough to set the A/C or heat to a comfortable setting for Sunday School and worship services. Sonny was a faithful servant, devoted husband, gentle father and good friend to everyone he met. In his younger years, he enjoyed Boy Scouts, playing high school football, water skiing, fishing and hiking. In the 1970’s he spent a week hiking 60 miles of the Georgia Appalachian Trail with friends. In his senior years, he began designing and building with wood. He created many beautiful heirlooms for his family to cherish forever. But most of all, he loved working in his yard, taking care of the birds, picking up sticks, tending his azaleas and mowing his grass using a push mower until last year at the age of 91. He was an extremely hard worker and had many vocations throughout the years. As a timber broker, he spent long days “cruising timber” and was always at home while walking in the woods. After many successful years in the timber industry, he retired and began new careers as a Test Administrator for the US Government, Tax Assessor for the GA Dept of Revenue and finally a Realtor and Property Manager in Vidalia. 

Sonny is survived by two daughters, Cynthia Leigh Odum (Donnie Ray) Scott, Kents Store, VA and Charlotte Marie Odum (Brian Drury) Sauer, Coral Springs, FL. Sonny was blessed with six grandchildren: Matthew Lawton (Nicole Grace) Scott, Bumpass, VA; Kathryn Rachel Scott (Travis Lynn) Brent, Palmyra, VA; Benjamin Donlee Scott, Louisa, VA; Kimberly Marie Sauer, Gainesville, FL; Lindsey Nicole Sauer, Coral Springs, FL and Kristin Alyse Sauer, Lexington, KY. He absolutely adored his four great grandsons that all live in Virginia: Colton Ray Scott, Jason Michael Scott, Dakota Reid Scott and Asa Lynn Brent. Numerous other family members round out his beautiful Family Tree. 

He was predeceased by his parents, his wife, Shirley Mae Cheeley Odum (2023), two sisters: Mary Eloise Odum Heard (Miami, FL), Melba Helen Odum (Lyons, GA) and one brother, James George Odum, Jr. (Snellville, GA).

A worship service celebrating Sonny’s long life will be held on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at The Oaks Baptist Church, Lyons, GA. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am with the service to follow at 11:00 am. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to The Oaks Baptist Church, Lyons GA or Community Hospice, Vidalia, GA.

The family wishes to thank all those who loved and cared for Sonny.

Low Country Cremation and Burial has the honor to serve the Odum family.