Services will be Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017, at 11 a.m. at the Mt. Zion Baptist Church for Mr. Forest Maurice Odom, 55, who departed this life on Monday, Nov. 27, 2017, at the Mercy Health St. Elizabeth Health Center.

Mr. Odom was born Nov. 4, 1962, in Syracuse, N.Y., a son of the Rev. Francis Jack Sr. and Rosebud Cummings Odom.

He was a 1979 graduate of Nottingham High School in New York and received his Associate degree from Morrisville College and Stratton Business Institute in New York.

While in New York, he was a U.I. Hearing Specialist with Unemployment Compensation Management. He was a domestic violence advocate at the Mahoning County Court House.

He was a former member of the Tucker Baptist Church in New York and its usher board, and most recently attended the Mt. Zion Baptist Church. He played football in Pop Warners Little League in elementary and junior high school. An avid sports fan, Maurice enjoyed the New York Jets and Oklahoma State football teams, and the New York Knicks and Louisville University basketball teams. He enjoyed bowling and being with his loving family.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his beloved mother and stepfather, Rosebud and Frank Mason of Youngstown; a brother, Francis J. Odom II of Youngstown; four stepsisters, Tonya Black, Frizetta Mason and Synnavia (Tony) Miles, all of Georgia, and Angelia Johnson of Alabama; a godsister, Angel Howze of South Carolina; and a host of cousins, adopted brothers, relatives, friends and his “sports” group.

A message from his Aunt Jo, who would sing to him, “You’re my Buddy, my Pal, my Friend.”

He was preceded in death by his father and grandparents, Eddie and Leola Cummings, and John and Bertha Odom.

Friends may call on Saturday, from 10 to 11 a.m. at the church.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the L.E. Black, Phillips & Holden Funeral Home.