Lifetime on the River: Odelle Tillotson Barlow celebrates 100th birthday

Published 5:10 pm Friday, April 29, 2022

: Odelle Tillotson Barlow, of Vicksburg, is 100.

Odelle Tillotson Barlow reached the age of 100 on April 26.

Her family celebrated the occasion during the 22^nd annual Tillotson family reunion in Utica.

Barlow was born in Vicksburg on April 26, 1922, to Mr. and Mrs. Ellis Tillotson. She and her late husband of 66 years, Ernest L. “Brute” Barlow, married June 12, 1947.

Barlow worked for the personnel division of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from 1942 until 1983, where she received numerous accolades and awards for excellence.

On turning 100, she was recognized during Smucker’s sponsored segment of the “Today Show.”

Barlow said her secret to longevity was due to a healthy lifestyle.

“I don’t drink. I don’t smoke and I’ve always tried to live my life the way Jesus would want me to,” she said.

Her advice to others was: “Go to church regularly and read your Bible daily. And always love and support your family and your friends. Always have a pet to care for. Try to exercise often. Travel as much as you can. And enjoy the holidays to the fullest.”

About Terri Cowart Frazier

Terri Frazier was born in Cleveland. Shortly afterward, the family moved to Vicksburg. She is a part-time reporter at The Vicksburg Post and is the editor of the Vicksburg Living Magazine, which has been awarded First Place by the Mississippi Press Association. She has also been the recipient of a First Place award in the MPA’s Better Newspaper Contest’s editorial division for the “Best Feature Story.”

Terri graduated from Warren Central High School and Mississippi State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in public relations.

Prior to coming to work at The Post a little more than 10 years ago, she did some freelancing at the Jackson Free Press. But for most of her life, she enjoyed being a full-time stay at home mom.

Terri is a member of the Crawford Street United Methodist Church. She is a lifetime member of the Vicksburg Junior Auxiliary and is a past member of the Sampler Antique Club and Town and Country Garden Club. She is married to Dr. Walter Frazier.

“From staying informed with local governmental issues to hearing the stories of its people, a hometown newspaper is vital to a community. I have felt privileged to be part of a dedicated team at The Post throughout my tenure and hope that with theirs and with local support, I will be able to continue to grow and hone in on my skills as I help share the stories in Vicksburg. When asked what I like most about my job, my answer is always ‘the people.’

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