Mary Magdalene Odom

Mary Magdalene Odom was born October 22, 1954 in Manatee County, Florida to Samuel and Vastie Odom. Mary was the seventh of nine children born into her family. Mary had deep spiritual roots in the church, with her faith journey beginning in childhood. She attended Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church where she was nurtured in the teachings of the Lord and grounded in the Christian faith. Mary was a natural caregiver, someone whose heart was always open to helping and caring for others. In 1971, at just 16 years old, Mary moved to Virginia to help care for family members in need, demonstrating love, selflessness, and a great sense of responsibility. After moving to Virginia to care for family, Mary continued her education and remained committed to completing her studies. Through dedication and perseverance, she graduated from high school in 1972. When Mary returned to Florida, her spiritual walk continued when she joined Providence Missionary Baptist Church in Palmetto. There, she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and served as the President of the Junior Women’s Mission.

In 1988, Mary relocated to Los Angeles, California. She began working as a Secretary at Brotman Medical Center. It was during this chapter of her life that she would meet the man who would become her husband. She met Wayne Sims in 1989. They were later married in October of 1990. Through this union, their only son, Wayne (Patrick) was born in December 1994. Mary’s greatest joy in life was being a mother. She devoted her life to loving, nurturing, protecting, and providing for her son. Patrick was amongst her greatest blessings and she took pride in watching him grow and become who God called him to be.

Throughout Mary’s life, she remained a faithful servant to the Lord. In 2003, she joined Gethsemane Christian Love Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Dr. Larry C. Jackson. She held multiple positions throughout her tenure there. Most notably, she served as Superintendent of Sunday school, Director of Children’s Church and as a member of the Usher Board.

Mary was also dedicated to her career. After obtaining a degree in nursing, she served as a Registered Nurse and Charge Nurse at various hospitals throughout her professional career. After obtaining her degree in Psychology, in 2010, Mary founded New Beginnings Human Services, a non-profit organization that focused on providing mental health services to the community. She dedicated her life to helping others get on their feet by providing mental health counseling. Whenever someone was going through a difficult season, she was there to offer encouragement, guidance, a helping hand, and whatever support she could provide.

Mary’s work in the community and her dedication to the Lord never wavered. She was an extraordinary Woman of God. In 2014, she was ordained as a Pastor through Saints of Value Ministry, under the leadership of the late, Dr. Vickie Lee. In that same year, Mary founded ANEW Life Bible Church, where she faithfully served as the Pastor and was ultimately ordained as an Apostle. In 2019, the church merged with Zion House Ministry and became ANEW Life Zion House, continuing the ministry and spiritual legacy that Mary helped establish. Mary was dedicated to Christ. She sought to honor God not only through her words, but through her actions and the way she gave of herself to her family, her church, and her community. Though she had many accomplishments and special heartfelt achievements, her most notable was her dedication to the advancement of Christian education and spiritual mentorship. Thus being the Visionary, Founder and Head of ANEW Life Bible Institute a ministry she took immense pride in; as it allowed her to fulfill her lifelong passion for equipping others to walk closely with God, study His Word and empowering students to fulfill their God given potential.

As a part of her ministry, Mary had a special heart for serving those in need. She organized food giveaways, making sure that families and individuals had something to eat and knew that someone cared. Mary demonstrated her love for others through her annual Thanksgiving turkey giveaway. Year after year, she faithfully provided free turkeys to families in need, making it possible for many to sit around their tables and share a Thanksgiving meal with their loved ones. This was more than simply giving away food—it was an expression of Mary’s heart.

Mary’s only Grandson, Blake, was the apple of her eye. They shared a special and precious bond. She loved him dearly and took great joy in being his grandmother. She cherished every moment they shared and poured into him the same love, guidance, and encouragement she had given her own son. Her grandson held a special place in her heart, and the memories they created together will remain a treasured part of her family’s legacy. Her love for him was unconditional and everlasting—a grandmother’s love that will continue to live on in his heart.

Mary lived a life of purpose, love, sacrifice, and unwavering faith. She was a mother figure to many, not only to the one she called her own, but to anyone who needed love, guidance, or a helping hand. She was the kind of woman who would give her all to anyone in need, often putting the needs of others before her own. Her caring heart, generosity, and nurturing spirit made her a source of comfort and strength to countless people. She loved deeply, gave selflessly, and never hesitated to make room in her heart for another. To know Mary was to know the warmth of a mother. She was also a loving daughter, cherished sister, faithful friend, servant of God and a blessing to everyone she encountered. She had a way of making people feel valued, welcomed, and loved. Whether she was comforting a friend, encouraging a family member, or simply being present when someone needed her, Mary gave of herself wholeheartedly. Her voice may be silent, but her love will never be forgotten, her legacy will never fade and the lives she touched will forever carry a piece of her with them. Mary fought a good fight, she finished her course, and she kept the faith. Her work on earth is complete and she now rests in the loving arms of her Savior.

Our beloved, Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Samuel and Vastie Odom, Sisters, Mary Louise and Rosalyn Odom and Brothers, Joshua, Samuel, Joseph, Daniel, and Johnny Odom.

She is survived by her only Son, Patrick, Daughter in Love, Whitney, only Grandson, Blake, Sister, Margaret Odom, 5 Nieces, Barbara and Samantha Odom, Andrea and Lynette Randall, Nicole Sims, 5 nephews, Robert, Roderick and Mark Odom, Steven and Brian Sims, two God Sons, Melvin Davis and Steven Taylor, two God Sisters, Georgina Levi-Hawkins and Pattricia Slaton-Brown, one God Brother Stanley Levi, ANEW Life Zion House Family, and a host of cousins and friends.

"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Romans 8:38–39