CHERYL YARBROUGH ODOM

CHERYL
07/26/43 – 05/12/22

Friends were invited to join her family in celebrating and honoring the life of Cheryl “Toupie” Yarbrough Odom, 78, on Monday, May 16, 2022, at 11 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 1002 Polk St, Mansfield, Louisiana. Officiating the service was Rev. Bill McLain. Interment followed at Highland Cemetery in Mansfield, Louisiana. Visitation was held from 5p.m. until 7p.m., Sunday, May 15, 2022, at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 943 Polk St., Mansfield, Louisiana.

Born on July 26, 1943, in Shreveport, Louisiana to Cecil Brinson Yarbrough and Carajo Latham Yarbrough, little girl Cheryl soon was given the nickname of “Toupie” by her neighbor, Hazel “Rah-Rah” Brown. Little Cheryl loved to play dress-up in Rah-Rah’s fancy jewelry and clothes, this reminded Rah-Rah of a lady in her community and nicknamed her “Little

Toupie.” As a student at Mansfield High School, Toupie served as the Drum Major and the Farm Bureau Queen. After graduating in May 1961, she attended Louisiana Tech University and later Northwestern State University where she met the love of her life, Samuel Joseph “Sammy Joe” Odom, her husband of 37 years until his death on January 18, 2001.

Toupie’s business career included owning the Orange Blossom Gift Shop in Mansfield and later working at Cotton and Company, Lewis Gifts and Pattison’s Fashion that helped keep her accessorized in the trendiest bracelets and fancy jewels. She also impacted many students of Desoto parish, where she enjoyed substitute teaching.

In the community, Cheryl served as president and active member of DeSoto Regional Hospital Auxiliary and a Booster Member for the Mansfield High School Quarterback Club and enthusiastic supporter for the MHS baseball program. She was also a true Tiger and Griffin fan, where she spent numerous hours cheering on her grands. At the First United Methodist Church of Mansfield, she taught Sunday School, worked with the King’s Kids, served as a youth counselor for the United Methodist Youth Fellowship, and was a member of the United Methodist Women and the church choir. Toupie also enjoyed her time playing with the Drifty Bridge Club.

Of all the joy that she could experience in her life, Toupie reveled in hosting and decorating for holiday gatherings, especially entertaining the Logansport High School cheerleaders (of which her granddaughter, Elizbeth was a member) at Christmas with her best China and Waterford crystal pieces. She loved the color orange, flamingos, jewelry, Sonic cokes, watching The Notebook, cheering for her grandchildren at their many and various sporting events, and spoiling all children – especially her own grandchildren.

Encircled in love by her children and extended family, Toupie entered into rest on May 12, 2022.

She is preceded in death by her parents and husband. Left to cherish her memory are her sister, Gail Sorensen, and husband, Bobby; brother, Alan Yarbrough, and wife, Martha; son, Samuel Joseph “Bo” Odom, Jr., and wife, Melanie; daughters, Joel Salley and Daryl; Rachel Delafield and husband, Wil; grandchildren, Elizabeth Delafield and fiancé, Hunter Thomas; Emma Callie Booker and husband, Keaton; Addison Salley, Samuel Joseph Odom, III; Aly Delafield, Luke Odom Delafield; special cousins, Dr. Bob and Judy Boyett and Jane Mosley; in-laws Charles and Pattie Odom and Troy and Suzanne Odom; nieces and nephews, Quincy and Mike Kane, Rob Sorenson, Anne Lathan Dorsey, Caitlin and Logan Williams, Mary Vay and Rodney Cobb, Aimee and Josh Smith, Chad and Angie Odom, Chris Odom, Stephanie and Ryan Phillips, and a host of great nieces and nephews. The family extends gratitude to Dallas Milton, Anna Jackson, and all of the nurses and staff at the Carpenter House of St. Joseph Hospice.

Pallbearers were Mike Kane, Rob Sorenson, Chad Odom, Chris Odom, Keaton Booker, Hunter Thomas, Bobby McAllen, Christian Bagley, and Jason Roberts. Honorary pallbearers were Tommy Calhoun, Scotty Brown, G. B. “Sonny” Hall, Herman Lawson, Dr. Gil Rew, and Bill Lowery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 1002 Polk Street, Mansfield, LA 71052.

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