22 Facts About Elzie Odom

Elzie Odom was born on May 10,1929 and is an American politician, community activist, and former postal worker who served as mayor of Arlington, Texas, from 1997 to 2003 and as an Arlington city councilman from 1990 to 1997.

Elzie Odom was born in Newton County, Texas, in 1929, and raised in the freedom colony of Shankleville, Texas.

Elzie Odom attended Prairie View College before becoming a letter carrier with the United States Postal Service in 1950 in Orange, Texas.

Elzie Odom became the first African American elected as a city official when he served on the Orange school district board starting in May 1965.

Elzie Odom was transferred to San Antonio by the USPS in 1970 and finally to Arlington in 1979.

Elzie Odom first ran for city council in Arlington in 1989 and was first elected in 1990.

Elzie Odom was born on May 10,1929, in Newton County, Texas.

Elzie Odom was raised in the freedom colony of Shankleville, Texas, which was established by his ancestors, James and Winnie Shankle.

The Elzie Odom family were subsistence farmers, raising cows, chickens, and pigs and growing crops for food.

Elzie Odom's father worked as a carpenter and community undertaker, and his mother maintained a small general store across the street from their family home.

Elzie Odom met his wife, Ruby Truvillion, while he was a junior in high school.

In 1950, Elzie Odom became a letter carrier with the United States Postal Service in Orange, and earned supplemental income through sales jobs.

Elzie Odom was elected to serve on the Orange school district board in May 1965, making him the first African American to be elected as a city official in Orange County.

In 1967, Elzie Odom became a postal inspector and was transferred to Los Angeles, where the family stayed for three years.

Elzie Odom was the first black postal inspector in Texas and the fifth in the United States.

In 1989, Elzie Odom ran for city council in Arlington against incumbent Theron Brooks.

Elzie Odom ran again for city council the next election cycle and won the run-off election for Place 4 on May 19,1990.

Elzie Odom was the first African American to be elected to the Arlington City Council.

Elzie Odom represented the city of Arlington on the North Central Texas Council of Governments, the Tarrant County Housing Partnership, the Texas Municipal League, the Working Connection, and the State Attorney General's Municipal Advisory Committee.

In March 1997, Elzie Odom announced his plans to run for office.

Elzie Odom received endorsements from council members and Arlington businesses.

Elzie Odom supported programs for citizens with disabilities and seniors.