Paula Dunn Hodge, age 72, peacefully went to be with our Lord on Friday, January 14, 2022. She was born in Rocky Mount, NC on July 21, 1949, the oldest daughter of Jeanne and Vernon Dunn. Paula graduated from Rocky Mount Senior High School where she was inducted into the National Honor Society. She attended NC Wesleyan College on a full scholastic scholarship, became engaged and married her high school sweetheart, John Hodge, on July 13, 1969, during her junior year. Paula and John then shared a romantic life together in Germany while John completed the final 18 months of his tour of duty in the US Army. Upon returning stateside Paula completed her BS in Business Administration from East Carolina University followed by successful employment with Craven Community College, Stanley Power Tools, Craven Regional Medical Center and, upon receiving her NC teaching certificate, taught for over 18 years at New Bern High School until her retirement in June 2013.
Paula was an active member of Centenary United Methodist Church where she served on various committees, worked with the Methodist Youth Fellowship, the historic Nativity Scene Committee, was a member of the Sara Porter Rejoice Circle and was a Stephen Minister. Paula especially enjoyed working with the public and helping others and upon her retirement volunteered at both CarolinaEast Medical Center and The New Bern Chamber of Commerce. Paula was known to always carry herself with dignity and grace and treated all others as she would like to be treated. She never met a stranger and considered all those she met as her friends, always having a smile and many compliments and words of encouragement.
Paula is survived by her devoted husband John, their daughter Erin of Durham, sister Gay Hartness of Greenville and brothers Jon (Faith) of Charlotte and Vernon (Joanne) of Winterville. Grandchildren Alex and Jennifer were the loves of her life of which she could not get enough loving. She was also aunt to many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, a younger sister Cathy and her loving brother Keith (Gloria) of Rocky Mount.
The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to one of God’s angels, Mrs. Evelyn Saunders, for her selfless and unconditional love and caring for our Paula. We also wish to express our gratitude to Community Hospice, especially RN Bonnie Tinsley, RN Cathy Hopkins, RN Valarie Brown, Health Aide Pam McClendon and Social Worker Mrs. Penny Adams. Words cannot express our thanks to the many nurses (God’s angels) and doctors at CarolinaEast Medical Center, and especially those on 4th Floor Oncology during Paula’s extended stay as well as Southern Gastroenterology and CCHC Atlantic Internal Medicine.
Visitation will be held at 1:00 followed by funeral services at 2:00 by Reverend Tom Greener, Senior Pastor, at Cotten Funeral Home on Tuesday, January 18, 2022.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Sanctuary Refurbishment Campaign at Centenary United Methodist Church at 309 New Street, New Bern, NC 28560 or Religious Community Services at 919 George Street, New Bern, NC 28560.
Cotten Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the family and friends of Paula Dunn Hodge.
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