Shirley was born in Hartwell, Ga in 1935. She graduated magna cum laud from Hartwell High School. Shirley attended North Georgia College and graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. She married Bill Hodges of Hartwell Ga. She lived in Murphy, NC for two years where she taught second grade. Moving to Athens in 1958, she continued to teach in the elementary grades for three years. Although she only taught for those five years she said, “Once a teacher, always a teacher”. Her children were always reminded of this as she corrected their grammar until the very end.
Shirley belonged to the Junior Assembly (now Junior League) where she made, performed and directed the Puppet Theater for kindergarten and elementary school children of Athens. She was active in her children’s school and all their activities. Shirley was a long-time member of St. James United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School for the 3-year-olds class for twelve years and worked with the Children’s and Youth choirs. She enjoyed flower gardening, singing, many art activities and playing Bingo…but only if she won.
She was preceded in death by her husband of forty-three years, William “Bill” Hodges, Sr. and her parents, Jim Dodd and Gladys Floyd Temple. She is survived by her son William “Bill” Hodges, Jr. and wife Phyllis Polson Hodges of Banner Elk, NC, daughter Laura Shirley Hodges of Greenville, SC, grandson William “Will” Hodges III of Charlotte, NC, sisters Jan Temple Bond of Elberton, Ga, Carol Temple Barber of Hartwell, Ga, a nephew, many nieces and her beloved cat, Callie, who now resides with her daughter.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Sunday, May 21 at 2pm at TerraBella Greenville Senior Living in Greenville, SC.
The family would like to thank Jackie Franklin and Laura Calhoun of Loving and Gentle Care, Cheryl McClain, Kelly Kloyman and the staff of TerraBella Greenville Senior Living (formerly Westminster Senior Living) and Hospice of the Upstate for their loving support and care of Shirley.
In lieu of flowers the family would like to request donations to the Alzheimer’s Association Attn: Ride to End ALZ SC 4600 Park Rd, Ste 250 Charlotte, NC 28209 or https://act.alz.org/goto/laurahodgesrtea2023
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mackeycenturydrive.com for the Hodges family.
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