Odum Genealogy

Godfrey Odum was born June 22, 1831 or 1832 in Bulloch County, Georgia. He appears to be in Mary Odum's household there on the 1840 census. In September 1849, after Mary's death, the Bulloch County Court appointed James Rimes as Godfrey's guardian. A year later, the 1850 census finds Godfrey listed as a as a 16 year old farmer living in the household of Ezekiel and Sarah Clifton in Emanuel County, Georgia.

On September 18, 1856, Godfrey married Rebecca Moody in Liberty County, Georgia. Rebecca was the daughter of James M. Moody and Eliza Bradley there, one of about 10 children. The 1860 census shows Godfrey and Rebecca living in Appling County, Georgia with two children: Vicey, daughter, age 5, and an unnamed infant daughter listed as 5 months old when the census was taken in June.

According to an 1895 biographical sketch published in the Memoirs of Georgia1, Godfrey eventually became a successful businessman in Wayne County and had only two children, a daughter Vicey and another who died in infancy. It turned out that Godfrey was so successful that the town of Odum, Georgia was later named after him.

Beginning with the 1870 census, things begin to get confusing regarding Godfrey's children. The 1870 census lists Godfrey and Rebecca living in Appling County with no children in the household. Vicey, who should have been 13 then, is not to be found in any household in Appling, Wayne or surrounding counties.

The 1880 Wayne County census shows Godfrey and Rebecca Odum with Marion Odum, male, age 8. No relationship is shown for Marion. Also, "V. Moody" is listed in the household as a female servant, age 28. Daughter Vicey, age 21, reappears as the wife of Tyler A. O'Quinn in her own household elsewhere in Wayne County.

Rebecca Odum died September 25, 1897. The 1900 census shows Godfrey as head of the household and no wife is listed. Godfrey is shown as being born June 1831 and still married with 2 children and 1 living. The entry regarding the children is marked out with no replacement made and 4 children are listed as his sons, all single and born in Georgia:

1. Wallis Odum, born April 1883
2. Mershaun Odum, born May 1887
3. Walter Odum, born January 1886
4. Leonard Odum, born January 1887

Also listed in the household is "Vick Odum", "boarder", male, born December 1852, widowed, with the occupation of "housekeeper."

There is obvious conflicting information concerning Godfrey's children between his 1895 biographical sketch and the 1880 and 1900 census data.

Godfrey Odum, as successful businessman as he apparently was, managed to depart this life without a will. However, there is quite a bit of documentation on his heirs and estate at the Wayne County Probate Judge's office. Godfrey is stated to have died on February 13, 1904 in Milledgeville, Georgia "where he had gone for treatment and care by physicians."

According to the 1904 - 1906 court records2, Godfrey had the following additional, surviving children by two other women during the time he was married to Rebecca:

The above children by Rachael Johnson are shown in her Wayne County household and as her children on the 1880 census with the Johnson surname. Apparently, Marion was listed twice - in Godfrey's household as well as in Rachael Johnson's. Rachel is listed as the head of her household. She is shown as a widow with 5 children - Marion (age 9), Isaac (age 7), Alice (age 5), Robert L. (age 3) and Maning (age 7 months). There is no mention of Robert or Maning in Godfrey Odum's court records.

There is, however, a William Manning Odum who appears in Wayne County on the 1910, 1920 and 1930 censuses. William is shown with birth dates ranging from 1872 through 1879. He married Kate J. Brannon (or Brannen), daughter of Abraham and Mary Brannon, on January 4, 1907. I do not know if this William is the same person as the Maning Johnson in Rachel Johnson's 1880 household.

Rachel Johnson, born about 1848, was the daughter of Daniel and Holly Ann Knight Johnson of Appling County, Georgia. In 1910 Rachel was listed in the Wayne County household of Marion Odum and his family as Marion's mother, age 64 and single. She died in Wayne County on 17 Jul 1919. I have not found any burial information for her.

The children by Victoria Moody are listed on the 1900 census in Godfrey's household. Also, the "Vick Odum" housekeeper was probably incorrectly reported as a male on the 1900 census in Godfrey's household. This is apparently the same person as the female "V. Moody" listed as a housekeeper on the 1880 census.

The other heirs to Godfrey's worldly possessions (other than the 7 children listed above) are stated to be "Mrs. Victoria Odum" (L. Victoria Moody Odum, current wife) and "Mrs. Vicy Odum O'Quinn" (daughter by first marriage). Rachel Johnson was not further mentioned.

Victoria Moody was probably the daughter of William B. and Julia Moody of Liberty County, Georgia, the eldest of 10 children. Her marriage to Godfrey Odum was apparently her first marriage. I do not know if there is any relationship between Victoria and Godfrey's first wife, Rebecca Moody. However, they are both from Liberty County. Victoria Moody Odum died March 4, 1940 and is buried in the Odum City Cemetery in Wayne County. Her date of birth on her headstone is December 24, 1851.

Godfrey Odum and his first wife, Rebecca, are buried in the Old Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery, Wayne County, Georgia.

Just to further complicate matters, there is one more child that may be another son of Godfrey. A January 1921 passport application by William Odum, a ship corker (caulker) at Key West, Florida, states that he was born in Wayne County Georgia, January 13, 1894 and his father was Godfrey Odum. The passport application also included William's wife, Florence, who was reported to be about 20 years old and born in Quitman, Georgia. Florence was Florence Lillian Coachman, born November 1, 1899, probably in Thomas County, Georgia, daughter of James Francis Coachman and Rosa B. Coats. William Odum died November 5, 1970 in Dade County, Florida, followed by Florence there on April 27, 1981. William's death certificate, however, lists his father as William Odum. The information on both death certificates was provided by Colon Dixon.3 William and Florence had two children: Colon William Odum (also known as Colon William Dixon, Jr.), born January 26, 1921, in Miami, Florida and Paul Odum (also shown as Paul Dixon), born October 16, 1923. Both sons apparently kept "Dixon" as their surname throughout their lives.

There were two Godfrey Odums in or around Wayne County on the 1900 census. The second was a son of Henry Odum, Godfrey's brother. William Odum was not in either household on that census, nor was I able to locate him elsewhere.

Godfrey's acknowledged children and their descendants are as follows4:

Godfrey had two children by Rebecca Moody: Visey and one daughter that died young.

1. Visey Odum was born on 2 Jan 1857 in Georgia, died on 22 Sep 1906 at age 49, and was buried in 1906 in Old Bethel Baptist Church, Wayne County, Georgia.

   Visey married Tyler A. O'Quinn, son of Alexander O'Quinn and Susannah Dent, on 2 Feb 1878 in Wayne County, Georgia. Tyler was born on 27 Mar 1850 in Georgia, died on 23 Aug 1914 at age 64, and was buried in 1914 in Old Bethel Baptist Church, Wayne County, Georgia. They had two children: Millard and Susie R.

   • Millard O'Quinn was born in Apr 1880 in Wayne County, Georgia and died before 1900.

   • Susie R. O'Quinn was born in May 1882 in Georgia and died on 8 Jan 1965 in Glynn County, Georgia at age 82.

     Susie married Joshua T. Bennett on 17 Jan 1907 in Wayne County, Georgia. Joshua was born about 1880 in Georgia. Another name for Joshua was John L. Bennett.

2. Odum (a daughter) was born in Jan 1860 in Georgia and died before 1870.

Godfrey had three children by Rachel Johnson: Marion, Alice, and Isaac.

1. Marion Odum was born in May 1870 in Georgia, died in 1932 at age 62, and was buried in 1932 in Piney Grove Cemetery, Wayne County, Georgia.

   Marion married Mary M. Boyd on 12 Jan 1895 in Wayne County, Georgia. Mary was born on 7 Mar 1876 in Georgia, died on 15 Nov 1918 at age 42, and was buried in 1918 in Odum City Cemetery, Wayne County, Georgia. Another name for Mary was Maggie. They had eight children: Jessie Lee, Cly V., Rufus L., Inez R., Murlie, Doyle, Margaret, and Maggie Ruth.

   • Jessie Lee Odum was born in Feb 1898 in Georgia.

     Jessie married George W. Hilliard on 16 Dec 1917 in Wayne County, Georgia.

   • Cly V. Odum was born on 15 Aug 1902 in Georgia, died on 13 Feb 1971 at age 68, and was buried in Odum City Cemetery, Wayne County, Georgia.

     Cly married Leonard.

   • Rufus L. Odum was born on 5 Sep 1904 in Georgia, died on 19 Jun 1973 in Wayne County, Georgia at age 68, and was buried in 1973 in Odum City Cemetery, Wayne County, Georgia. Another name for Rufus was Buddy.

   • Rachel Inez Odum was born 17 Jul 1906 in Wayne County, Georgia and died on 6 Jul 1971 in Los Angeles County, California at age 64, and was buried in the Odum City Cemetery, Wayne County, Georgia.

   • Marion Murlee Odum was born on 14 May 1908 in Georgia, died on 18 Jul 1997 at age 89, and was buried in Odum City Cemetery, Wayne County, Georgia.

     Murlee married Perry Fleming Hires on 4 Nov 1930 in Wayne County, Georgia. Perry was born on 5 Sep 1908, died in Jan 1969 at age 60, and was buried in Odum City Cemetery, Wayne County, Georgia.

   • Jack Odum was born on 8 Sep 1910 in Wayne County,Georgia, died 20 Jun 1946 in Staten Island, Richmond County, New York at age 35 and was buried in City Cemetery, Hart Island, New York City. Another name for Jack was Doyal.

     Jack married Mary Nailda Derinzio, daughter of Dominick Derinzio and Mary, on 16 Jan 1940 in New York City. Mary was born 20 May 1910 in New York City, New York, and died about 1985.

   • Margaret Odum was born on 1 Nov 1912 in Georgia, died on 16 Jun 1980 at age 67, and was buried in Odum City Cemetery, Wayne County, Georgia.

     Margaret married Cecil Withrow on 26 Jun 1934 in Wayne County, Georgia. Cecil was born on 7 Oct 1907, died on 14 Apr 1995 at age 87, and was buried in Odum City Cemetery, Wayne County, Georgia.

   • Maggie Ruth Odum was born on 22 Jun 1915 in Georgia, died on 23 May 1928 at age 12, and was buried in Odum City Cemetery, Wayne County, Georgia.

   Marion next married Lottie L. Wilson, daughter of Joseph Wilson and Unknown, on 25 Jan 1919 in Wayne County, Georgia. Lottie was born in 1893 in Georgia, died in 1969 at age 76, and was buried in Piney Grove Cemetery, Wayne County, Georgia. They had six children: Lottie Marion, Sallie, Joseph, Reba, Wanda, and Thomas.

   • Lottie Marion Odum was born 16 Dec 1919 in Georgia and died 25 Jan 2006 in Chatham County, Georgia at age 86.

   • Sallie Odum was born about 1922 in Georgia.

   • Joseph Odum was born about 1923 in Georgia.

   • Reba Odum was born 29 Apr 1924 in Odum, Wayne County, Georgia, died on 27 Mar 2009 in Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia at age 84, and was buried at Mt. Olivet Methodist Church Cemetery, Fleming, Liberty County, Georgia.

     Reba married Franklin T. Phillips.

   • Wanda Odum was born about 1926 in Georgia.

     Wanda married Ernest Moreland.

   • Thomas Odum was born about 1927 in Georgia.

2. Alice Odum was born on 19 Nov 1872 in Georgia, died on 15 Jan 1953 in Wayne County, Georgia at age 80, and was buried in 1953 in Odum City Cemetery, Wayne County, Georgia.

   Alice married Milton V. Bennett on 27 Mar 1889 in Wayne County, Georgia. Milton was born on 10 Mar 1870, died on 10 Oct 1905 at age 35, and was buried in 1905 in Odum City Cemetery, Wayne County, Georgia. They had eight children: Eula, Marvin C., Maudie, Minnie, Vida, Clyde, Gurr, and Clifford.

   • Eula Bennett was born on 8 Jul 1890 in Georgia and died on 15 Apr 1970 in Dade County, Florida at age 79.

     Eula married Flavious Harley Long on 23 Jun 1907 in Wayne County, Georgia. Flavious was born on 8 Sep 1875 in Georgia and died before 1930. They had seven children: Wilburn O., Carry Mae, Wilton, Elizabeth G., Edna Alice, Edwin O., and Margaret K.

     Eula next married Lamkin Self in May 1956 in Dade County, Florida.

   • Marvin C. Bennett was born on 19 May 1893 in Georgia, died on 8 Nov 1966 at age 73, and was buried in 1966 in Odum City Cemetery, Wayne County, Georgia.

     Marvin married Pearl about 1929. Pearl was born about 1912 in Georgia. They had two children: Pauline and M. C.

   • Maudie Bennett was born about 1895 in Georgia.

   • Minnie Bennett was born about 1897 in Georgia.

   • Vida Bennett was born about 1900 in Georgia.

   • Clyde Bennett was born about 1901 in Georgia.

     Clyde married Virginia Waters on 2 Nov 1925 in Wayne County, Georgia. Virginia was born about 1910 in Georgia. They had one daughter: Helen.

   • Gurr Bennett was born about 1903 in Georgia.

   • Clifford Bennett was born on 20 Aug 1904 in Georgia, died on 28 Nov 1981 at age 77, and was buried in 1981 in Odum City Cemetery, Wayne County, Georgia.

     Clifford married Mary L. about 1925. Mary was born about 1909 in Georgia. They had one daughter: Dorothy.

   Alice next married James B. Long on 4 Apr 1907 in Wayne County, Georgia. James was born about 1872 in Georgia and died in 1929 in Broward County, Florida about age 57. They had five children: Veda E., James T., Ratchford R., Stafford S., and Iona.

   • Veda E. Long was born about 1908 in Georgia.

     Veda married Bruce B. Duffield in 1933 in Broward County, Florida. The marriage ended in divorce. They had one daughter: Dorothy.

   • James T. Long was born on 9 Aug 1909 in Georgia and died on 4 Jul 1972 in Broward County, Florida at age 62.

   • Ratchford R. Long was born about 1912 in Georgia and died on 4 Oct 1993 in Duval County, Florida about age 81.

     Ratchford married Mary Elizabeth Kretzler in 1946 in Broward County, Florida. The marriage ended in divorce in 1953.

   • Stafford S. Long was born about 1914 in Georgia.

   • Iona Long was born on 19 Aug 1916 in Georgia and died on 25 Mar 1997 in Marion County, Florida at age 80.

     Iona married James Richard Portwood in 1934 in Dade County, Florida.

3. Isaac Odum was born in May 1874 in Georgia and died on 27 Jul 1937 in Bibb County, Georgia at age 63.

   Isaac married Victoria on 17 Jul 1899 in Wayne County, Georgia. The marriage ended in divorce. Victoria was born in Mar 1876 in Georgia. Another name for Victoria was Vick.

   Isaac next married Mary Lorena Horton, daughter of Sanford Horton and Mary, on 18 Jun 1912 in Sumter County, Georgia. Mary was born about 1872 in Georgia, died on 27 Jun 1968 in Sumter County, Georgia about age 96, and was buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Sumter County, Georgia.

Godfrey had four children by Victoria Moody: Wallace Graham, Mershon L., Walter M., and Leonard B.

1. Wallace Graham Odum was born on 10 Apr 1883 in Georgia, died on 5 Sep 1947 in Wayne County, Georgia at age 64, and was buried in 1947 in Odum City Cemetery, Odum, Wayne County, Georgia.

   Wallace married Josephine E. Knight, daughter of Nathanial Knight and Clementine, on 19 Aug 1901 in Wayne County, Georgia. Josephine was born on 25 Mar 1881 in Georgia, died on 5 Oct 1955 in Wayne County, Georgia at age 74, and was buried in 1955 in Odum City Cemetery, Odum, Wayne County, Georgia. Another name for Josephine was Josie. They had one son: Wallace Genell.

   • Wallace Genell Odum was born on 24 Dec 1912 in Georgia, died on 24 Nov 1996 in Wayne County, Georgia at age 83, and was buried in 1996 in Odum City Cemetery, Odum, Wayne County, Georgia.

     Wallace married Aldine Davis, daughter of Santa C. Davis and Ella H., on 19 Apr 1931 in Wayne County, Georgia. Aldine was born on 15 Sep 1912, died on 24 Nov 1965 in Wayne County, Georgia at age 53, and was buried in 1965 in Odum City Cemetery, Odum, Wayne County, Georgia.

2. Mershon L. Odum was born on 13 Oct 1885 in Georgia, died on 16 Apr 1945 in Wayne County, Georgia at age 59, and was buried in Odum City Cemetery, Odum, Wayne County, Georgia.

   Mershon married Lona Bell O'Quinn, daughter of George W. O'Quinn and Mary J., on 17 Mar 1906 in Wayne County, Georgia. Lona was born on 12 Oct 1888 in Georgia, died on 10 Jan 1969 in Wayne County, Georgia at age 80, and was buried in Odum City Cemetery, Odum, Wayne County, Georgia. They had nine children: Hazel E., M. L., Iris Versa Colla, Georgia Elizabeth, Douglas Tippins, Sarah Ruth, Wyman Bryan, Wayne G., and Frank Wade.

   • Hazel E. Odum was born on 6 Feb 1907 in Georgia, died on 30 Dec 1990 at age 83, and was buried in Odum City Cemetery, Odum, Wayne County, Georgia.

     Hazel married M. G. Roberson on 17 Feb 1924 in Wayne County, Georgia.

   • M. L. Odum was born on 8 Dec 1909 in Georgia, died on 23 Aug 1931 in Glynn County, Georgia at age 21, and was buried in Odum City Cemetery, Odum, Wayne County, Georgia.

   • Iris Versa Colla Odum was born on 17 Jan 1911, died on 30 Mar 1912 at age 1, and was buried in Odum City Cemetery, Odum, Wayne County, Georgia.

   • Georgia Elizabeth Odum was born about 1914 in Georgia.

     Georgia married J. W. Chandler on 22 Apr 1938 in Wayne County, Georgia.

   • Douglas Tippins Odum was born on 4 Feb 1916 in Georgia, died on 30 Jan 1964 in Duval County, Florida at age 47, and was buried in 1964 in Odum City Cemetery, Odum, Wayne County, Georgia.

     Douglas married Edna Rivers in 1939 in Dade County, Florida. The marriage ended in divorce.

   • Sarah Ruth Odum was born on 15 Apr 1919 in South Carolina, died on 13 Aug 2001 at age 82, and was buried in Odum City Cemetery, Odum, Wayne County, Georgia.

     Sarah married Olin D. Coleman on 6 Jan 1940 in Wayne County, Georgia. Olin was born on 11 Jul 1916, died on 29 Nov 1997 at age 81, and was buried in Odum City Cemetery, Odum, Wayne County, Georgia.

   • Wyman Bryan Odum was born on 14 Apr 1922 in Georgia, died on 6 Dec 1989 in Wayne County, Georgia at age 67, and was buried in Odum City Cemetery, Odum, Wayne County, Georgia.

     Wyman married Carrie Lee Copeland. Carrie was born on 12 Mar 1921 in Odum, Wayne County, Georgia, died on 6 Mar 1988 in Odum, Wayne County, Georgia at age 66, and was buried in Odum City Cemetery, Odum, Wayne County, Georgia.

   • Wayne G. Odum was born about 1925 in Georgia and died on 21 Feb 1993 in Wayne County, Georgia about age 68.

   • Frank Wade Odum was born on 8 Apr 1927 in Georgia, died on 11 Feb 1995 in Chatham County, Georgia at age 67, and was buried in Odum City Cemetery, Odum, Wayne County, Georgia.

3. Dr. Walter M. Odum was born on 6 Jan 1887 in Georgia, died on 23 Aug 1936 in Glynn County, Georgia at age 49, and was buried in 1936 in Odum City Cemetery, Odum, Wayne County, Georgia.

   Walter married Lula Moody on 9 Jul 1905 in Wayne County, Georgia. Lula died before 1910.

   Walter next married Margaret Dennards on 20 Apr 1913 in Wayne County, Georgia. Margaret was born about 1895 in Georgia and died on 18 Feb 1981 in Wayne County, Georgia about age 86. Another name for Margaret was Maggie. They had one son: Walter M.

   • Walter M. Odum, Jr. was born about 1927 in Florida.

4. Leonard B. Odum was born on 26 Jan 1889 in Georgia, died on 19 May 1917 at age 28, and was buried in 1917 in Odum City Cemetery, Odum, Wayne County, Georgia.

   Leonard married Leottie O'Quinn on 17 Jun 1910 in Wayne County, Georgia. Leottie was born on 21 Feb 1895, died on 21 Jun 1986 in Dade County, Florida at age 91, and was buried in Odum City Cemetery, Wayne County, Georgia. They had one daughter: Laotha Elizabeth.

   • Laotha Elizabeth Odum was born on 17 Jul 1913, died on 16 Feb 1984 in Dade County, Florida at age 70, and was buried in Odum City Cemetery, Odum, Wayne County, Georgia.

Footnotes: (click number to return to text)
1 Memoirs of Georgia Vol. I-II. Atlanta, GA, USA: The Southern Historical Association, 1895. Volume 2, pages 1014 and 1015.
2 Probate Judge, Wayne County, Jesup, Georgia. Minutes Court of Ordinary, Minute Book 1904, pages 3 and 85.
3This would be Colon William Dixon, Jr. There is another, as yet undetermined, relationship between Colon Dixon (Sr.) and the Odum and Coachman families. It is possible that William Odum and Colon Dixon, Sr. were the same person. Colon Dixon, Sr. was a son of Sonny Amaziah Dixon of Wayne County, Georgia, another reputed son of Godfrey Odum. I have not found any death record for Colon Dixon Sr.
4Information is provided tracing the family for two or three generations. Unfortunately, more recent data has to be omitted for privacy and security reasons.