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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened 
3to learn of the death of Betty Jean Odum of Anna, who passed 
4away on September 1, 2025; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Betty Odum, the daughter of Reverend Tracy T. and 
6Sylvia McCord, was born in Harrisburg on November 27, 1927; 
7she attended Shelbyville High School; she received a Bachelor 
8of Science in Education with a minor in music from Olivet 
9Nazarene College; she married James W. Walker in Roxana in 
101945, and they had two children, James Tracy Walker and Jil 
11Walker Tracy; she later married Dr. Don Odum, and they had one 
12child, Matthew Odum; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Betty Odum devoted her life to teaching, earning 
14a Master of Science in Education from Southern Illinois 
15University Carbondale; she taught English at Carbondale High 
16School, where she also served as the faculty sponsor of the 
17Dial yearbook for many years; after raising her children, she 
18returned to teaching, dedicating herself to adult education 
19well into her 80s; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Betty Odum was a woman of deep faith and a gifted 
21musician who served as a church pianist throughout her life, 
22retiring from her role as pianist of the Anna Church of the 
 
 
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1Nazarene in her 90s; she taught adult Sunday school for 
2decades and shared her music with residents of The Voyages in 
3Anna; she was also devoted to worldwide mission work through 
4her church; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Betty Odum was known for her unwavering devotion, 
6her kindness, and her fierce love for her family; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Betty Odum was preceded in death by her parents; 
8her husband, Dr. Don Odum; and her son, James Tracy Walker; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Betty Odum is survived by her daughter, Jil 
10Walker Tracy; her son-in-law, Jim Tracy; her daughter-in-law, 
11Tamra Walker; nine grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren; 
12therefore, be it
 
13    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL 
14ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
15Betty Jean Odum and extend our sincere condolences to her 
16family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it 
17further
 
18    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
19presented to the family of Betty Odum as an expression of our 
20deepest sympathy.