Bealer Valentine Odom of Rutledge, TN has gone home, leaving behind a circle of those who loved him.
What you read below is one part of a life lived with quiet purpose.
Bealer held deeply to the Baptist faith — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew him best.
Service is its own kind of love — quiet, steady, often unseen.
Bealer Valentine Odom, 88, of Rutledge, Tennessee, graduated to Heaven on Sunday, May 3, 2026. Born the twelfth of fourteen children to the late Solomon and Linnie Bowman Odom, Bealer spent his first four years at his birthplace on White Oak Mountain in Carter County, Tennessee.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife, of 34 years, Kathie Gail Lethco Odom, and all of his brothers and sisters.
He was a loving father and uncle to his many nieces and nephews, a great brother and brother-in-law, and was a friend to everyone. It was hard to find him without a smile on his face and generosity in his heart.
A lifelong carpenter, Bealer used his skills to build houses, commercial buildings, churches and was proud to have been part of building Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. When the need for help rebuilding after disasters like Katrina, Bealer was one of the first to volunteer. Cross country truck driving was also one of his occupations. Bealer was diligent in all he did and he applied that ethic to his work with cattle. His special way with them earned him the name "Cow Whisperer" since they would do most anything he asked.
He was a loyal and devoted member of Sunrise Baptist Church for nearly 50 years, where he served the Lord in many capacities. His favorite place, however, was behind the wheel of the church van where for more than 25 years he picked up those who needed a ride to church. He truly loved being a part of bringing people to the Lord's house. Bealer was a veteran of the United States Army serving from August 1, 1961 until July 31, 1963.
Bealer had an incredible imagination spending a great deal of time drawing up plans and creating models for inventions, buildings and large projects. He was a lifelong kid at heart and a bit of a daredevil ziplining for the first time at 83, then again at 84. In addition to his love for new and old cars and his need for speed, in his seventies he got to fly an airplane out of McGhee-Tyson airport.
Those left to cherish his many wonderful memories include two daughters, Melissa "Lisa" Odom-King of Rutledge and Kimberly Odom-Jones and husband Jeff of Deltona, Florida; Exceptional friend, Myrtle Livesay and her wonderful family; several extra special nieces and nephews including Joyce Parsons Calloway and family, Darian Odom, wife Kelly and family, David Odom and family; lifelong friends, Bill Elliott of Matthews, North Carolina, John and Mildred Blazier of Rutledge, Donald and DeWayne Ramsey and family of Blaine. Many friends, neighbors and extended family including those at Hardees also survive.
Special thanks to ALPS Adult Day Services of Morristown, as well as Caris Healthcare (our hospice provider) for their incredible love and care of Bealer and his family.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Sunrise Baptist Church at 255 Sunrise Church Lane, Rutledge, TN 37861, Or ALPS Adult Day Services, 600 N Daisy Street, Morristown, TN 37814.
A service to honor and celebrate the life of Bealer Valentine Odom will be conducted at 7:00 PM on Friday, May 8th at Sunrise Baptist Church, Rutledge, with Pastor Scott Howerton officiating. The family will receive friends in the fellowship hall from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM prior to the service.
Family and friends will gather at 10:45 AM on Saturday, May 9th at Mountain View Cemetery 1406 Walt Price Rd, Sevierville, TN 37876 for an 11:00 AM graveside service.
Fielden Funeral Home is honored to serve the Odom family.
