Peggy Nell Alexander Odom

Peggy Nell Alexander Odom, passed away peacefully June 17, 2025. She was born March 14, 1939 in Loco, Oklahoma to Ivan Millard “Dick” Alexander and Cleo Dunn Alexander. She was the third of four children and grew up surrounded by family and friends.

Peggy went on to play basketball for Waylon Baptist and the Flying Queens for one year and then transferred to Central State College in Edmund, Oklahoma. She was teaching in Chikasha, Oklahoma when she met the love of her life, a young airman named Jim Odom. He knocked on her door looking for her roommate with whom he had a blind date, saw Peggy and that was it. They married on July 7, 1962.

Jim’s career took them all over the world and Peggy was an exceptional Air Force wife, always packing and unpacking and making every place they lived a home. When Jim retired from the Air Force they settled in Carrollton, Texas in 1979 and Peggy found her new career at CLR Fast Tax starting out keypunching tax returns to eventually writing instructions for state tax software.

After they retired in 2008 they lived in several places, finally settling in Lufkin, Texas at PineCrest Independent Living. After Jim passed away in 2021 Peggy stayed at PineCrest in the Skilled Nursing Unit where her sass and sense of humor made her a favorite resident.

They shared a love of travel and family. They cruised to Mexico, Panama and Alaska. They drove all over the United States, always stopping to visit with family and friends.

Peggy is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Terrie and Ron Gregory; a son and daughter-in-law, Timothy and Kathy Odom; six grandchildren, Geoff and Bailey Gregory, Matt Gregory, Sarah and Richard Stagg, Alex and Jessica Odom, Erin Odom and her fiancé Travis Downs, and Jimmy Odom; four great-grandchildren, Sawyer, Savannah, Finn and Amelia Gregory; her sister, Rita Colman; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Bill Alexander; her sister-in-law, Laveda Alexander; her brother-in-law George Colman; her sister, Nancy Jones; and her beloved husband, Jim. We know that she is ready to see him and he is waiting on her, probably holding her purse.

The family would like to give a special thanks to the staff at MRC PineCrest. You have become family to us, and we are grateful for the love and care you showed to our mom. We would also like to thank Hospice in the Pines for their loving care and for helping us navigate through this difficult time.

A private service will be scheduled at a later date.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.