Dorothy Raby Odum

Dorothy “Dot” Raby Odum, 97, of Saint Pauls, North Carolina passed away at First Health Moore Regional Hospital on November 7th, 2025, leaving a void her family cannot fill.

She was born in York County, South Carolina on November 28th, 1927 to Charles and Maggie Smith Raby and was the second oldest of their eight surviving children. Dot attended school throughout York County, SC and Gaston County, NC before her family relocated to Robeson County, NC during World War II. It was here that she met John Edward “Ed” Odum; Ed and Dot were married in Saint Pauls in 1946.

Dot was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who dedicated her life to being a homemaker and caring for her family. An avid reader, history buff, and movie lover, she was a passionate supporter of the U.S. military in which her father, her husband, both of her brothers, her eldest son, and her son-in-law served. Dot was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Ed Odum; older sister, Mary Raby Collins of Red Springs; younger brother, Earl Raby of Saint Pauls; younger sister, Merle Raby Plott of Saint Pauls; younger brother, Lawrence Raby of Saint Pauls; and daughter-in-law Dianna Lawson Odum of Saint Pauls. She is survived by younger sisters Jeanette Bugby of Richmond, VA; Lucille Raby Owens of Sumter, SC; and Helen Raby Dixon, of Conroe, TX. Additionally, she leaves behind her three children John Edward “Johnny” Odum, Jr. (late wife Dianna), Darrell Holland Odum (wife Denise), and Faye Odum McMillan (husband Brent), five adult granddaughters, and five great-grandchildren.

McNeill Legacy Funeral Home is honored to serve the Odum family.