Obituaries 11-13-25

THOMAS WIBBON ODOM

Feb. 27, 1941-Nov. 9, 2025

Funeral services for Thomas Wibbon Odom, 84, of the Langsdale Community 
in Shubuta were conducted on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025 from Geneva 
Presbyterian Church in Matherville, with Rev. Doug Manning, Rev. Bob 
Followell and Rev. Pike Smith officiating.

Interment followed at Geneva Presbyterian Cemetery in Matherville.

Born in Matherville on Thursday, Feb. 27, 1941 to Loys Wilbon Odom and 
Annie Lucas Odom, he was a member of Geneva Presbyterian Church and was 
baptized as a youth in Buckatunna Creek. He retired after 38 years of 
service as a Contract Mail Carrier for the United States Postal Service.

A man who loved the outdoors, he was an avid hunter and fisherman and 
had a lifelong passion for farming.

He died on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025 at his residence.

He is survived by his wife, Clarice Welborn Odom of Langsdale; a son and 
daughter-in-law, Thomas Wibbon and Madyson Odom, Jr., of Clarkdale; 
three daughters and sons-in-law, Penne Anne and Chuck Satcher of 
Langsdale, Amy and Matt Sampson of Crandall, Ga., and Christina and 
Bryant Smith of Langsdale; 10 grandchildren and their respective 
spouses, Autumn and Matt McCoy, Anna Satcher, Alex Sampson, Ava Sampson, 
Abraham Smith, Sawyer Smith, Elliott Smith, Scarlett Smith, Langstyn 
Odom and Ledger Odom; and two great-grandchildren, Noah McCoy and 
Addyson McCoy.

He was preceded in death by his father, Loys Wilbon Odom; his mother, 
Annie Lucas Odom; and his granddaughter, Ella Grace Smith.

An online guestbook can be signed at www.freemanfh.com.

Freeman Funeral Home of Waynesboro was in charge of arrangements.

ALECIA PALMER WOOD

Nov. 30, 1959-Nov. 4, 2025

Funeral services for Alecia Palmer Wood, 65, of Waynesboro, were 
conducted on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025 from Liberty Baptist Church, with 
Rev. Phillip Gandy, Dr. Todd Stokley and Loria Newsome officiating.

Interment followed at Liberty Cemetery in Waynesboro.

Born on Nov. 30, 1959 in Tylertown to Virgil Allen Palmer and Mary 
Culpepper Palmer, she will always be known for her smile and laughter, 
and she kept that smile all her days. Throughout her journey, she 
demonstrated peace and faith as she lived out Hebrews 12:1-2: "And let 
us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on 
Jesus the author and finisher of our faith."

In 1983, she married her soul mate, Steve Wood, and, in 1985, she joined 
her husband in the family business, Wood's Store, Inc., d/b/a Western 
Auto in Waynesboro. After selling their business in 1998, they continued 
to work together until their retirement.

Alecia enjoyed cooking and baking for her family. She was taught by the 
best, her mother, Mary Palmer, and sister-in-law, Denise Palmer. Among 
her most cherished memories were the joyful Sunday gatherings and 
holiday feasts shared around the Palmerwood table, where laughter, love 
and family filled every seat.

She was a faithful member of Liberty Baptist Church, where she was a 
dedicated member of the Celebration Choir. She worshipped the Lord 
through singing and playing various musical instruments such as the 
organ and piano. A gifted teacher who could quote Scripture with ease, 
she found it a joy as she dedicated her time to study and preparing to 
present God's Word.

After marrying Steve in 1983, they were married for 42 years. As a wife, 
mother, grandmother and even great-grandmother, Alecia found her true 
fulfillment — loving her family and loving her Lord. This was her 
ultimate legacy. She has fought the good fight and kept the faith and 
finished her course. (2 Timothy 4:7).

She died on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025 after a courageous battle with cancer.

She is survived by her husband of 42 years, Steve Wood; her daughter and 
son-in-law, Holly and Bobby Shirley of Mobile, Ala.; her son, Steve Wood 
of Laurel; her daughter and son-in-law, Erin and Larry Pacific of 
Laurel; her daughter and son-in-law, Julie Anna and Jason Perry of 
Greensboro, Ala.; two brothers and a sister-in-law, Reggie and Denise 
Palmer and Raymond Palmer, all of Waynesboro; 14 grandchildren their 
respective spouses, Brandon and Emily Shirley, Emily and Chance Lyon, 
Micah Shirley, Skyler Wood, Kipper Wood, Juliette Pacific, Lucas 
Pacific, Logan Pacific, Max Pacific, Brier Perry, Clay Perry, Dixie 
Perry, Ladd Perry and Lillian Perry; four great-grandchildren; two 
special nieces and their respective spouses, Lauren P. and Josh 
Etheridge and Christen P. and Brady Raannes; her uncles and aunt, Tom 
and Virginia Palmer and Ronald Culpepper; and a host of nieces, nephews, 
cousins, friends and loved ones.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Virgil A. Palmer and Mary C. 
Palmer; and her grandparents, Houston A. Palmer and Mary B. Palmer and 
George William Culpepper and Effie M. Cullpepper.

Pallbearers were Coach Gary Gore, Ed Shirley, Daryl Pitts, Jimmy Palmer, 
Ted Newsome, Bobby McMichael and Baron Graham. Honorary pallbearers were 
Joe McMichael and Dwight Holland.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Liberty Baptist Church 
Mission Fund.

An online guestbook can be signed at www.freemanfh.com.

Freeman Funeral Home of Waynesboro was in charge of arrangements.

DARLENE KAY RIGNEY

Nov. 6, 2025

A Celebration of Life ceremony for Darlene Kay Rigney, 80, of 
Blytheville, Ark., was conducted on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025 from Pathway 
Church of God in Blytheville. 

A graveside service followed on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025 from Mount 
Pleasant Cemetery in Chicora.

Lovingly known to everyone as "Mammaw," she died on Thursday, Nov. 6, 
2025 at St. Bernard's Hospital in Jonesboro, Ark., surrounded by her 
family. She had been a resident of Gosnell Health and Rehab Nursing Home 
during the last year of her life.

Born in Toledo, Ohio, she was the daughter of Dale Roberts and Gladys 
Kittrell. On Oct. 31, 1960, she married the love of her life, Rev. L.V. 
Rigney, and together they shared 65 wonderful years of marriage. For 
more than six decades, she faithfully served as a pastor's wife — 
loving, supporting and encouraging others with grace, strength and a 
joyful spirit that made everyone feel at home.

Since 1979, Darlene was a devoted member of Pathway Church of God in 
Blytheville, where she sang, served and encouraged countless people 
through her faith and kindness.

She loved nothing more than gathering her family for big home-cooked 
meals, singing Southern Gospel songs, crocheting and spending time 
fishing with her loved ones. Her kitchen table was more than a place to 
eat — it was a place where laughter, love and memories were shared for 
generations.

She is survived by her husband, Rev. L.V. Rigney of Blytheville; a son 
and daughter-in-law, Danny and Karyn Rigney of Blytheville; two 
daughters and sons-in-law, Vonda and Curt Belford of Blytheville and 
Lynn and Kyle Edge of Blytheville; six grandchildren and their 
respective spouses, Bryan and Adria Belford of Blytheville, Blake and 
Jaclyn Belford of Mount Juliet, Tenn., Adam and Katherine Rigney of 
Brookland, Ark., Tyler and Beth Edge of Blytheville, Kristen and Travis 
O'Neal of Brookland and Abby and Caleb Rodgers of Blytheville; and 14 
great-grandchildren who were the light of her life.

She was preceded in death by her father, Dale Roberts; her stepfather 
and mother, Walter and Gladys Kittrell; her brother, Kyle Kitt Kittrell; 
and her precious great-grandson, Oliver Curtis O'Neal.

The family would like to express its heartfelt thanks to the wonderful 
caregivers at Gosnell Health and Rehab and to all who have shown love 
and support.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites friends to honor Darlene's legacy 
by making a monetary donation to Pathway Church, the church she so 
dearly loved and faithfully served for more than 45 years.

Her faith was unwavering, her love was endless and her laughter will 
echo in our hearts forever.

As 2 Timothy 4:7 reminds us, "I have fought the good fight, I have 
finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.cobbfuneralhome.com.

Cobb Funeral Home of Blytheville was in charge of arrangements.