MSgt. Barbara D. Odom, USAF (ret.)

Barbara Dolberry Odom, 67, passed away peacefully early on the morning of Monday, July 6, 2026.

Barbara was born on June 20, 1959, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the youngest of twelve children of the late Claudie and Annabelle Dolberry. Affectionately known as “Popsie” to her family, she was a sweet, kind-hearted, and generous lady who was always bubbly, joyful, and full of laughter. She had a wonderful sense of humor that she constantly used to make others laugh. Her family was the center of her world. Nothing brought a smile to her face more than time spent with her siblings, nieces, nephews, or extended family and being able to share stories of her childhood in North Philadelphia.

After graduating from Murrell Dobbins Vocational-Technical High School in 1977, Barbara enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1981 and began a twenty-year miltary career, honorably serving her country as a Supply Specialist and later a Manpower Specialist before becoming a Contract Specialist in the C-5 Contracting Division. In addition to earning a Level II Acquisition/Contracting Certification, her meritorious service earned her many awards recognizing her dedication, professionalism, and commitment to serving the United States of America. During her twenty-year tenure, Barbara was stationed in Florida, Texas, Mississippi, Nebraska, Georgia, South Korea, Germany, and even a temporary assignment in Saudi Arabia. She retired from active duty in 2001.

Barbara’s service to her country did not end with her retirement from the Air Force. She continued as a civil servant on Robins Air Force Base as a Contract Specialist. Highly respected by her supervisors and co-workers alike, she will be remembered as a beloved co-worker, mentor, and friend. During her military career, Barbara earned an AAS in Business Administration from Wayland Baptist University, a BS in Business Administration Management and Occupational Education and Training from Wayland Baptist University, and an MBA in Acquisition and Contract Management from American Graduate University. She was an active member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and enjoyed participating in sorority fellowship, service, and activities.

Barbara was always excited to travel the world and explore new places. She had recently returned from trips to Montreal, Greece, and Cabo San Lucas. Discovering new restaurants and sharing a meal with family and friends was always an exciting time. She especially enjoyed Korean or Mexican cuisine. And, if the destination had a casino where she could drop a coin into a slot machine, Barbara was all-in. Thrift shopping and antiquing were also high on her priority list. In her down time, she could be found curled up enjoying a good book. She was very passionate about genealogy and preserving her family’s heritage and history. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings, Marion Karney, Carol-Ann Dolberry, Claudie Dolberry Jr., Pattie Jane Pringle, and Ralph Dolberry; her sister-in-law, Adrienne Odom; and her nephew, Darnell Dolberry.

Her memory will forever be treasured by her adoring husband of forty-five years, Hozell Odom, III; her siblings, Janis Carter (Charles), Martha Charles, Henry Dolberry, Sr., Columbus Dolberry (Cynthia), Annie May Ammons (Ira), and James Eddie Dolberry; and a host of other loving family members and friends. She will be lovingly remembered as a devoted wife, daughter, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, great-aunt, niece, cousin, friend, mentor, sorority sister, beloved boss, and co-worker.

Visitation with Barbara’s family will be Monday, July 20, 2026 from 2:00 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. at McCullough Funeral Home. The funeral service celebrating her life will immediately follow at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, July 20, 2026, in the chapel of McCullough Funeral Home with Stephen Pierce officiating. For friends unable to attend at this time, the service will be streamed live at https://www.youtube.com/@McCulloughFuneralHome via the McCullough Funeral Home’s YouTube page. Barbara will be laid to rest in Ivy Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.