State Road Mr. Raymond Warren Hodges, age 88 of Wall Road, passed away peacefully in his sleep Sunday, December 28, 2008 at Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital. Mr. Hodges was born July 11, 1920 in Surry County to William David & Mary Ollie Johnson Hodges. Mr. Hodges married the late Lucy Lorina Church on December 24, 1949 in the city of Baltimore, MD. They celebrated 53 years of marriage before her death in 2003. Mr. Hodges was a retired Merchant Marine Veteran having served from 1943 in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. He earned the Merchant Marine Emblem, Atlantic War Zone Bar, Mediterranean Middle East War Zone Bar and Combat Bar with stars. He retired as a Boatswain's Mate in 1979 after 36 years of service. The majority of his time, his home port was in Baltimore, MD. Mr. & Mrs. Hodges moved back to their hometown in 1981 where they were faithful members of Central Full Gospel Church in State Road. He was a friend to may wayward cats and loved his adopted stray calico cat, Shotgun. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a brother, Calvin Hodge; three half brothers, Gratis Hodges, Arvil Hodges and Dewey Hodges; a sister, Tilda Ruggiera; half sisters, Bertie Wagoner, Bessie Pruitt. He is survived by his son, Harold James Hodges and his wife, Linda Boyd of Murrells Inlet, SC; a sister, Pearl Cook of Boonville; sisters-in-law, Hattie Louise Hodge of State Road, Gladys Church Triplett of Lenoir, Betty Church Weddle and husband James of Titusville, Fla.; half sister-in-law, Nell Hodges; brothers-in-law, James Church of Lenoir, Hubert Church and wife Gertrude of Lenoir; several nieces, nephews and cousins, friends and special friend, Mary Harrison of State Road. The family will receive friends Tuesday, December 30, 2008 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at Hodges Funeral Home in Elkin. A celebration of his life will be held Wednesday, December 31, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at Central Full Gospel Church with the Rev. Bobby Norman officiating, followed by a graveside service at the church cemetery. There will be a luncheon served at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Central Full Gospel Church, PO Box 35, State Road, NC 28676 or the Valley View Hospice and Palliative Care, 688 N. Bridge Street, Elkin, NC 28621. Online condolences may be made at www.hodgesfuneralhomeinc.com Hodges Funeral Home in Elkin is serving the Hodges Family.
