Joe Odom (attorney)

Joseph Algerine Odom (March 22, 1948 – November 2, 1991) was an American attorney who later became a musician.[1] He came to prominence after his appearance as one of the main characters in John Berendt's true-crime book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,[2] although he died three years before its publication.

Joe Odom
Born
Joseph Algerine Odom

(1948-03-22)March 22, 1948
Claxton, Georgia, US
DiedNovember 2, 1991(1991-11-02) (aged 43)
Savannah, Georgia, US
Occupation(s)Attorney, musician
Known forAppearance in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

Early life

Odom was born in Claxton, Georgia, on March 22, 1948. He later moved to Savannah, where he was a "ne'er-do-well"[3] attorney.[4]

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
Hamilton–Turner Inn, where Odom lived at the time of his death

In John Berendt's book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, Odom was portrayed as the love interest of Mandy Nichols; however, Nancy Hillis, upon whom Nichols was based, has stated that there was no romantic relationship between her and Odom, who was "not strictly heterosexual."[5] They performed music together only and owned a bar, Sweet Georgia Brown's, in Savannah's City Market.[6][7] (Odom was also friends with and a business partner of Emma Kelly, dubbed by Johnny Mercer as the "lady of six-thousand songs", who also appears in the book.)[8] Hillis also said that, contrary to what Berendt wrote, she and Odom did not meet until Odom had moved from 16 East Jones Street in Savannah to 101 East Oglethorpe Avenue, a three-storey townhouse at the corner of Drayton Street. From there, he moved to Pulaski Square.

During his time at today's Hamilton–Turner Inn, on Lafayette Square, Odom hosted tours of the property and, much to the chagrin of the square's residents, hosted loud parties at the home.[9]

Odom died three years before the book's 1994 release.[5] Hillis died in 2016, aged 67, after a five-year battle with ALS.[6]

Odom was portrayed by Paul Hipp in Clint Eastwood's 1997 movie adaptation.

  • One of Odom's former residences in Savannah, 16 East Jones Street
    One of Odom's former residences in Savannah, 16 East Jones Street
  • He moved to 101 East Oglethorpe (right) shortly before meeting Nancy Hillis for the first time
    He moved to 101 East Oglethorpe (right) shortly before meeting Nancy Hillis for the first time

Death

Odom died on November 2, 1991, from complications of AIDS. He was 43, and was living at the time in an apartment inside Savannah's Hamilton–Turner Inn,[10] which Nancy Hillis purchased in 1991.[6] He is buried, in a family plot in Bull Creek Cemetery in his hometown of Claxton,[11] beside his father, Herman, and mother, Gwendolyn. After the death of her husband of 56 years, Gwendolyn was married to Aubrey Strickland until her death in 2013.[12]

References
  1. Collins, Andrew (2002). Carolinas and Georgia: The Guide for All Budgets, Completely Updated, with Many Maps and Travel Tips. p. 67.
  2. "`MIDNIGHT' MADNESS IN SAVANNAH". Chicago Tribune. 1994-06-26. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
  3. "Voodoo Justice" - New York Times Books, March 20, 1994
  4. "MURDER TALE, SOUTHERN STYLE, PUTS SAVANNAH ON THE MAP" - Daily Press, June 12, 1994
  5. "MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF FACT AND FICTION" - Washington Examiner, December 29, 1996
  6. "Nancy Hillis, ‘Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil’s’ Mandy, passes away" - Savannah Morning News, August 9, 2016
  7. "'This is the real me'; 'Midnight' star Nancy Hillis shines light on her life in new book" - Bluffon Today, January 20, 2016
  8. "A return trip to Savannah in honor of 25th anniversary of 'Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil'" - Palm Beach Daily News, March 23, 2019
  9. SBJ, Lou Phelps (2023-03-31). "March 31 - Historic Hamilton-Turner Inn Sold; Broker was Hodges Ward Elliott". www.savannahbusinessjournal.com. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
  10. "MIDDAY IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL: FANS OF BOOK FLOCK TO GEORGIA" - Hartford Courant, March 16, 1997
  11. "Savannah, GA's Historic Jones Street". gosouthsavannah.com. Retrieved 2023-10-18.
  12. "Gwendolyn Odom Strickland - View Obituary & Service Information". Gwendolyn Odom Strickland Obituary. Retrieved 2023-10-18.
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