Mrs. Juanita Hodges

Night fell upon this side of her life on August 12, 2024, at her home in Madison, AR and her soul was escorted from her earthly body to the home prepared by her Lord, Jesus Christ. Her departure was accompanied by soft words of, “Mom, we love you!” Mrs. Juanita Brown Hodges, was the eldest of seven children to the late Willie and Alberta Brown on May 24, 1936, in Madison, AR. She had a structured and Christ-centered childhood. She faithfully attended St. John Baptist Church in Madison, AR and gave her life to Christ at an early age. She later joined Madison Light Baptist Church in Madison, AR where she served on the Usher Board, Hospitality Committee, and the Women’s Ministry. She obtained her education at Lincoln School in Forrest City, AR. She was employed with General Industries (GI) for twenty-five years plus years until the company closed. She was then employed with East Arkansas Area Agency on Aging for fifteen years before her retirement. She married Colonel J. Hodges, Sr., June 19, 1955 and to this union seven children were born, five boys and two girls. They nurtured all seven children through primary school, high school, and some going off to the military. She embraced her role as a grandmother and great grandmother. All of her grandchildren knew her to be sweet and caring guided with love. She believed in the value of an education and encouraged all of her grandchildren to pursue theirs. She loved to sew, cook, solve puzzle books, travel and spend time with her family. She loved to plant flowers as she always had a “green thumb.” She was preceded in death by her late husband, Colonel J. Hodges, Sr., her son Larry (Sharon) Hodges, two grandchildren, her parents, Willie and Alberta Brown, four siblings, Willie Brown, Jr, Dorothy Mae Brown, Evelyn Lois Tyson, and Shirley Marie Maxiell. As she departs this life she leaves to cherish, six children, Santra Hodges of Madison, AR, Ronnie (Beverly) Hodges, Sr. of Humble, TX, Colonel (Vera) Hodges, Jr. of Killeen, TX, Theo (Tonya) Hodges of Little Rock, AR, Darrell (Karen) Hodges, Sr. of Forrest City, AR, and Vicki (Cosentino) Oakley of Forrest City, AR. She also leaves to cherish twenty-three grandchildren, twenty-five great grandchildren, two great- great grandchildren; two siblings, Gloria Jean Mays of Cahokia, IL, Leodis Brown of Little Rock, AR, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Mrs. Juanita Hodges

May 24, 1936 - August 12, 2024