Kathy Miller Odom, 74, beloved friend, mother and “Nana Kat,” died Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, at Walter Reed Hospital in Gloucester.
Kathy Sue Odom was born in Ohio, March 6, 1946 and was adopted when she was 6 months old by her beloved parents, father Rev. J.P. Miller and mother Elaine, in 1946. As a baby Kathy suffered from chronic bronchitis, so the family, including Kathy’s older brother, Don, moved to Las Cruces, N.M. The family later moved to Sabinal, Texas and from there to Winameg, Ohio where Kathy started school.
In 1962, the family settled in Deltaville, when the Rev. Miller accepted a ministry at Philippi Christian Church. While there, Kathy graduated from Middlesex High School. After graduation, she moved to Newport News and accepted a job working for the Department of Defense at Fort Eustis, where she worked for 31 years as a procurement specialist for the Contracting Division, Aviation Applied Technology Directorate. While there she was officially commended by the Department of the Army for exceptional performance.
After retiring from the DOD, she moved back to her beloved Deltaville, where she volunteered with the Middlesex County Rescue Squad and worked as the secretary at Philippi Church.
Kathy was always busy with something. Her many interests and hobbies over the years introduced her to her large diverse group of friends. Over the years Kathy participated in many endeavors including bingo, macramé and sewing, which led her to quilting. She worked with the Stingray Quilters, which brought her many of her special friends and countless hours of joy. She blessed family and many friends with her unique quilts. She loved thrift stores and garage sales and could not pass one without stopping. Much of Kathy’s life revolved around Philippi Christian Church. Most people who know her would say that Kathy and her mother Elaine were the heartbeat of Deltaville and will be greatly missed.
In addition to her beloved canine companion Moxie, Kathy will be missed by her daughter, Harriet Quesenberry Stevens; grandson and granddaughter, Kyle and Shelby Wightman; and new great-grandson, Odin Wesley Clements. She will also be missed by her brother, Don Miller, and his wife, Janet; her niece, Heidi Doyle and her nephew, Christopher Miller; along with her many dear friends.
A celebration of Kathy’s life is planned later in the year when COVID-19 restrictions allow. Please look in the Southside Sentinel for an announcement. Everyone looks forward to getting together to share “funny Kathy stories,” which will not be in short supply.
The family requests memorials be made in Kathy’s honor to the Middlesex County Volunteer Rescue Squad, 17684 General Puller Highway, Deltaville, VA 23043, 804-776-6875 or the Middlesex County Animal Shelter, 2840 General Puller Hwy, Saluda, VA 23149, 804-758-2779.
Arrangements are by Faulkner Funeral Homes, Bristow-Faulkner Chapel, Saluda
