FERRIDAY — Odeal Montgomery cared so much for the Town of Ferriday she continued offering her advice and support long after her term in the mayor’s office ended.

Montgomery, who was the only female mayor of the town and served as mayor from 1996 to 2000, died Sunday.

“As late as last week, Mrs. Montgomery was calling me to discuss issues in the Town of Ferriday,” Mayor Gene Allen said. “She was such a great person for our city and our whole parish.”

Allen said Montgomery’s impact could still be felt in Town Hall when he took office four years later.

“She just did so much for the town,” Allen said. “She really started laying the groundwork for the overhaul of the water system by getting some of the first grant money for that project.”

Allen said Montgomery was a longtime educator, serving as a schoolteacher and administrator in the parish for nearly 40 years.

She was also a Civil Rights advocate and was a charter member of the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Her husband, Henry Montgomery, was an alderman for the town.

When he died, Montgomery finished his term and continued serving in the position.

Montgomery also continued operating the Henry Montgomery Foundation, a project started by her husband to award scholarships to area children, after his death.

“She and her husband both cared for this town so much,” Allen said. “She brought a lot to the table, and she was just a leader all around.”

Former Mayor Glen McGlothin — who served four terms in the mayor’s seat — said he was saddened to hear the news of Montgomery’s passing Sunday, knowing the town had lost one of its hardest workers and advocates.

“I remember how hard she tried to get that water fixed,” McGlothin said. “Her and her husband worked so hard for the town.”