Odus Matlock was born June 2, 1925 in Ramer, TN the son of the late William Murray and Decie Jane Horton Matlock.
He was united in marriage to Mary Virginia Wardlow in March of 1951.
Mr. Matlock was a United States Army veteran, having served his country in the European Theater of operations during World War II. He entered the Service on September 10, 1943 and was assigned to Company A of the 178th Engineer Combat Battalion in General George S. Patton's Third Army. After arriving in England he went to Normandy, France thru Utah Beach on September 27, 1944. From August of 1944 through September of 1945 Mr. Matlock traveled through England, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany. In December of 1944, his unit was involved in the Battle of the Bulge. Mr. Matlock's duties included building bridges (one of which was a 1,600 foot span over the Rhine River), laying mine fields, preparing road blocks and defensive positions, maintaining roads, and supervising manufacturing plants and civilian activities. At war's end he was offered a promotion to Sergeant but declined in order to return home. He worked for the Tennessee Department of Transportation for over 30 years before retiring from the Materials and Testing Department. Mr. Matlock was elected McNairy County Road Commissioner and served two terms, from 1978 to 1986, before going to work for the Tennessee Office of Army Surplus in Jackson, TN. He, along with his wife Virginia, was employed as an evening visitation assistant with Shackelford Funeral Directors of Selmer for almost 13 years. Hunting quail was a favorite pastime of Mr. Matlock when he was younger. He also enjoyed refurbishing and reselling automobiles and spending time socializing with his coffee-drinking friends at various restaurants in and around Selmer. He was a member of American Legion Post 162 and the Selmer First United Methodist Church.
Mr. Matlock departed this life on October 31, 2019 in Selmer, Tennessee at the age of 94 Years, 4 Months, 29 Days. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Mary Virginia Matlock of Selmer, TN; a daughter, Mary Todd Tucker and husband Charlie of Ramer, TN; a grandson, Reid Tucker of Ramer, TN; three sisters: Doris Neuhold and husband Fred of Dallas, TX, Martha Glover of St. Louis, MO, and Jo Ann Tarver and husband Robert of Union City, TN; and many extended family and friends.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Matlock was preceded in death by three sisters: Josie Willis, Frances Martin, and Freida Mathis, and three brothers: William Matlock, Merrell Matlock, and Woodrow Matlock.
Memorials may be made to Selmer First United Methodist Church or a charity of the donor's choice.