Nancy Jean Shultz Odom

Nancy Jean Shultz Odom, 84, of Groves, Texas passed away Sunday, August 23, 2020, at The Medical Center of Southeast Texas. Nancy was born January 13, 1936 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to the late Wayne and Eleanor Shultz. Her family moved from Pennsylvania in the early 1940’s to the Port Neches Groves area. Nancy attended school at Port Neches Groves, where she met her future husband. She was a devoted member of the First Methodist Church in Port Neches. Nancy and James married on February 19, 1955 and moved to Groves and began attending Groves United Pentecostal Church.
Nancy had many passions which included singing in a trio and in the church choir. She also played the piano and organ. Nancy loved horses and enjoyed drawing pictures of them. She was an excellent seamstress and made beautiful dresses for her three girls. After James’ retirement they spent 8 years traveling the states in their motor coach.
Nancy was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 65 years, James Darrell Odom; siblings, Wayne “Uncle Sonny” Shultz and Elayne Pritchett.
Those left behind to cherish her memories are her children, Pam Essex and her husband, Bud of Checotah, OK; Terri Martin and her husband, Rick; and Becky Strickland; grandchildren, Amber McGee and her husband, Keith of Checotah, OK; Bryan Essex and his wife, Whitney of Muskogee, OK; Tiffany Cole and her husband, Nathan of Coweta, OK; Shanna Weeks of Cleveland, TX; Derrick Martin and his wife, Holly of Austin, TX; and Daniel Martin and his wife, Michel of Denver, CO; 13 great grandchildren and 1 expected in December.
A gathering of friends and relatives will be held from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m., with a service to begin at 1:00 p.m., with Rev. Rick Martin officiating, Tuesday, September 8, 2020 at Melancon’s Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park in Port Neches.