Ginger Pollard Odom

Ginger Pollard Odom, age 75, passed away on Thursday, August 22nd at Carteret Health Care in Morehead City.

There will be a celebration of life event on Saturday, September 7th at 4 pm at Ginger’s home in Newport, officiated by Pastor Joseph Park of Saint James United Methodist Church.

Ginger’s life journey began on December 10th, 1948. She was an animal lover from the very start, and she got her first pony, Ras, at the age of 6. She could often be seen riding her horse and cart around Newport Loop Road from childhood and would go on to have her own barnyard as an adult filled with horses, chickens, ducks, turkeys, and goats. She eventually upgraded her preferred mode of transportation from horses to horsepower, and you could routinely see her around town- most likely in a pick-up truck with a dog riding shotgun and the wind blowing through her beautiful long red hair, and maybe even on her way back from the Newport Garden Center after picking up some needed supplies. Her home was a joyful place for animals and humans alike. Despite not having children of her own, she had a handful of nieces and nephews and eventually, great-nieces and great-nephews who were drawn to her menagerie, and to their Aunt Ginger. She was an astonishingly genuine person with a razor-sharp sense of humor, and you could really be yourself around her. There was never a shortage of laughter at Ginger’s house, and many life lessons were taught. Some were metaphorical, while others were more a bit more physical- like learning how to act around an electric fence-and often elicited her own distinct, contagious laughter.

Despite being born in a period of time when women were expected to look and dress a certain way, Ginger was a spitfire who remained true to herself. She never backed down from letting her voice be heard or getting her hands dirty. She had a very generous spirit and made a concentrated effort to discreetly help others in her community whenever she could without seeking acknowledgment for her compassion. She was reputed for remaining composed in stressful circumstances and will be remembered as handy, capable, and remarkably self-sufficient.

She confronted her cancer diagnosis with the same tenacity and rationale that she experienced her life with. She defied the odds originally given, and she will be missed immensely.

She is survived by her sister, Marti Cannon of Cape Carteret; loyal friend Sunni Rimmer, who was certainly more like a daughter to Ginger; and one loving and rambunctious dog, Ruby. Ginger received overwhelming devotion and support from nieces and nephews: Jimmy Cannon and wife, Nancy, of Newport; Teresa Donohue and husband, Marty, of Havelock; and Liane Hajduk and husband, Jeff, of Cape Carteret. She was cherished by 10 great-nieces and great-nephews and revered by 7 great-great nieces and great-great-nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents George and Virginia Pollard, brother Phillip “P-Nut” Edwards and nephew Jeff Cannon as well as her beloved dogs: Chance, Zip, Gracie and Joker.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a monetary donation to a charity of your choice or complete an act of service within the community in Ginger’s memory. And if you have a dog, please give them an extra hug today.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net.

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, NC.