Olivia Hodges

Olivia Smith Hodges, born August 21, 1927, grew up the oldest of three siblings, daughter of Roy Curtis and Ethel Hinde Smith in Monroe, NC. Her earliest memories are of a family life during the depression. Her father worked three jobs around the clock and her mother worked alongside him. They led a cow around the neighborhood to graze the roadside grass and its milk, cornbread and eggs from their hens were staples at the table. To save money on heat, her family lived in the basement of the brick home her father built and went upstairs only to sleep.

She walked with her brother, Roy Curtis Smith and her sister, Anne Smith Baucom to the local school and later to the dry cleaners downtown that her father would one day buy from his former boss. After school she would play under the counter, and as she grew older she helped her father and mother to take in the clothing to be cleaned and mended.

Sundays she went to church with her parents. A lifelong love of music and extraordinary voice would find their expression in choirs and invitations to sing at weddings, services and special occasions. At the age of fifteen she had a 15 minute radio program where she sang hits of the day by request. Shy and unassuming, she was surprised to be asked to represent a local business in the Miss Monroe contest where she was chosen as runner up.

During her high school years, she saw friends go off to WWII and many did not return. Her parents and the family visited the POW camp and the veteran’s hospital where they read and wrote mail, washed their clothes and tried to meet needs. They took in boarders and she served in the local neighborhood watch group. In her lifetime she saw many wars and would always show deep sadness at conflict. She advocated for peace, loved her country and always voted her conscience.

A love of reading and a sharp mind took her to Queens College in Charlotte where she received a degree in Chemistry, preparing her to enter medical school to become a pediatrician. Her dream was changed when she was asked to surrender her place to a returning WWII veteran. She went to work in the laboratory at Pet Dairy. There she was noticed by a handsome young dairy farmer who was delivering cans of fresh milk. Finally the shy man got her attention when he put a can down on her foot, unintentionally breaking her toe. He apologized profusely and asked her to accept an invitation to dinner to make up for it. And so the blue-eyed blonde and the black haired, brown eyed farmer began a courtship.

Married to James Franklin “Frank” Hodges on December 17, 1950, they welcomed their first children 10 months later…twins! Jane Elizabeth and Janet Olivia were soon followed by a son, James Franklin Hodges, Jr. Two more daughters, Judith Ann and Joyce Kathleen were followed by a son, Charles Curtis. At 42 and 49 years old, Olivia and Frank completed their family with Helen Marie. They were loving parents who taught their values to their children in word and deed. Olivia never received a doctor’s degree, but over the years she doctored many hurts, cooked countless meals, sewed clothes for her family, shopped and cleaned and shared her love of learning and reading with her children. She worked alongside her husband milking cows, running errands, gardening and getting chores done.

Perhaps her young years shaped the values that most epitomized her: a love of family and a commitment to do all that was needed to provide for their care and welfare. She encouraged education through reading, study and applying oneself. She loved nature, flowers, birds and the beauty of the world around her and instilled this in her children. Hospitality, generosity and acceptance of all who entered her door marked her home and many people call her “Mama Hodges” and “Ms. Olivia” with great affection, often coming by years later to thank her for the love they received. Church attendance was a must, but love of God and his faithful provision were also woven into and demonstrated in her life and teaching.

She served as PTA member, class mother, office volunteer, 4-H and girl scout leader. She cooked with the women of the church and served at church functions. She got herself and her children to church every Sunday, to youth groups, conferences and Vacation Bible School. She juggled it all while singing in the church choir for fifty years. She often sang solos that are remembered as her voice filled the sanctuary with a rich mezzo-soprano.

She had a warm-hearted smile, and laughed easily. She welcomed neighborhood kids and school friends in the house, fed them, and sometimes housed them. The farmhouse door was never locked then and friends always knew to come in the back door. She was generous to all those who needed anything. She fed everybody.

Her husband adored her, and she loved him till the day she left to meet him at heaven’s gate. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren are her biggest fans and are blessed to belong to her. Their hearts are hers forever. She often would tell anyone who would listen of the 34 stockings that hung on her mantle at Christmas and she was always ready to hang another one of her own family or someone “adopted” into the family by love.

She passed away as she slept in her home of 72 years. She spent her last days surrounded by children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She smiled and told each one how she loved them. She told Jesus she was ready to come home. He welcomed her, we are sure, with “well-done, beloved”.

She will be missed and she cannot be replaced, but we will carry on her legacy and look forward to the day when we see her, our father and other loved ones again.

She is pre-deceased by her husband James Franklin Hodges, son James Franklin Hodges, Jr and her sister, Ann Smith Baucom.

She is survived by her brother, Roy Curtis Smith and her children: Jane Elizabeth Hodges; Janet Hodges Gardner; Judith Ann Hodges; Joyce Hodges Newman (Husband Mike Newman); Charles Curtis Hodges (wife Nancy Murphy Hodges); Helen Hodges Sieber (husband Wyatt Sieber, Jr.). Grandchildren: Maegan Gardner Hemphill (Husband Lee Hemphill and daughters Emma, Grace, and Mary-Salem); Hunter Gardner; Conner Newman ( Wife Elizabeth and children Tommy and Addie); Kelsey Newman ; Daniel Hodges (wife Larisa and sons Eliah and Cameron); Ash Hodges Blair and son Linden; Lindsey Hodges Schonewolf (husband Stephen Schonewolf); Kimberly Hodges Schoch (husband Nathan Schoch); and James Franklin Hodges, III, “Trey”.

We would like to express our deep gratitude to our friends Yasmine, Kaide, Sabrina and Fidelis.

Visitation will be Saturday March 26, 2022 at Back Creek Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church at 1:30 PM with a worship service at 3:00 PM, followed by a short graveside service.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mcewenderitachapel.com for the Hodges family.