Watching over Greenbrook Community Park for the past 20 years, Royce Odom says her role as security guard is more than just a job.

“This job, it’s saved my life,” Odom admitted as she sat inside her small office, watching children wrangle eggs and play in the jungle gym the day before Easter, all the while hoping forecasters were wrong about a dreary Easter Sunday.

A member of the Smithville Business and Professional Women’s Club which sponsors the park, Odom said she had never considered working in such a capacity prior to the death of her husband 20 years ago.

“He was just 51,” Odom recalled of her husband’s passing, noting his loss was devastating. “When you lose the one you love, it’s hard.”
After her husband passed away, another tragedy struck when her farm was destroyed by a storm, leaving her with what to do. That’s when the security job at Greenbrook became available.

“I enjoy it so much,” Odom said, saying she would not trade her time as guard there for anything. “The city people have really been good to me.”
Odom says she feels a sense of purpose, watching out for the children and making sure the park remains nice for everyone to use.

As for her hope the forecasters would be wrong about Easter, she got her wish. The beautiful Saturday in the park was joined by a nice Easter Sunday, full of more egg hunts.