ST. PETERSBURG — The Rev. Barbara Odom was a wife, mother and employee, yet she couldn’t deny the calling the Lord had placed on her life. She died Dec. 4, 2002, after faithfully serving as a leader and pastor in the Florida Conference.

As a tribute to her life and journey in ministry her husband, Donald R. Odom Sr., established the Barbara Odom Course of Study Scholarship Fund in her memory. The first recipients were recognized during a Dec. 7 worship service at Lakewood United Methodist Church here.

Susan Baron of St. Andrews United Methodist Church in Tampa and Diane Gutierrez of Woodlands United Methodist Church in Ft. Lauderdale each received $500 from the fund, which awards the scholarships in part based on the financial need of applicants. Baron was unable to attend the service.

The Rev. Barbara Odom entered the Course of Study School at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology and became a local pastor in 1994. She served as associate pastor of St. Petersburg’s Lakewood United Methodist Church from 1993 to 1997 and Trinity United Methodist Church from 1998 to 2002. She returned to Lakewood as senior pastor in 2002, the same year she was ordained an associate member of the Florida Conference. She also served as chairwoman of the conference’s task force on the Council of Bishops’ Initiative on Children and Poverty and on many district and conference councils and committees.

Odom, 51, was serving Lakewood United Methodist Church when she died of breast cancer.

Donald Odom said it’s difficult for second career pastors like his late wife to balance family, careers and schools.

“It’s a challenge, and that’s why we wanted to do something in her honor to help others who are going that same route,” Odom said after the worship service. “It was a struggle for us. We had children who were preteens, and we had double the expenses.”

Yet, Barbara Odom embarked on the Course of Study, which educates and trains local pastors in the United Methodist Church. For admittance students must be certified candidates for ordained ministry, have completed the requirements for license as a local pastor and have received endorsement by the Florida Conference Board of Ordained Ministry.

The five-year Course of Study is conducted at Emory University in two two-week modules each summer for part- and full-time pastors. Successful completion of both modules fulfills one year of study. It is sponsored by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church, the Southeastern Jurisdictional Administrative Council and Emory’s Candler School of Theology.

Donald Odom said about $6,000 is in the scholarship fund. He said a scholarship will be awarded next year around Nov. 9, his wife’s birthday, to commemorate her life.

“It just happened that it [first awards] came around the time of her death,” he said. “We are looking forward to doing it to celebrate her life each year.”

John Clevelle, a member of Lakewood for more than 30 years, said Odom was full of fire and brimstone.

“When she came back to us the second time, she was full of the holy spirit,” he said after the service, with tears in his eyes. “She was a small woman and full of life.”

St. Petersburg District Superintendent the Rev. Kevin James said Odom is deeply missed.

“She had a love for all people, regardless of color or creed,” said James, who was unable to attend the scholarship service. “She was a strong spiritual leader who had a genuine passion for the love of God. I would put her in the same category as Mother Theresa and Mary McLeod Bethune [founder of Bethune-Cookman College]. Her people and leadership skills were second to none.”