Oneice Jessie Russell Hodgson

Oneice Jessie Russell Hodgson went home to be with her savior Jesus and into the loving arms of her parents Lula and Jessie Russell on Wednesday, February 24, 2016 in Longview, Texas. Oneice was born in DeKalb, Texas on October 6, 1925 and was 90 years young. She is survived by her husband of 70 years, Alonzo H Hodgson, Jr., sister Laura Mae Earnest of Redwater, TX, daughters Debbie Meehan and husband Jim of Davenport, Iowa and Susan LaBay and husband David of Hallsville, grandchildren Amanda Miller and husband Steve of Omaha, Nebraska, Amy Kay and husband Kevin of Cedar Falls, Iowa, Matt Meehan and wife Sara of Davenport, Iowa, Jesse LaBay and wife Misty of Hallsville, Bret LaBay of Hallsville, great-grandchildren Landon and Leah Miller, George Kay, and Sam, Cooper, Nora and Adam Meehan. She also had many cousins, nephews and nieces. Oneice learned the value of hard work early in life and continued that work ethic all through her life until arthritis and a heart condition prevented her from doing the many things she so enjoyed. She and her sister worked at the shipyard in Orange, Texas during WWII, postponing their senior year of high school. They returned home to Redwater, Texas after one year of working to complete their senior year and graduate. After the war, Oneice and H married and moved to College Station, where H completed his civil engineering degree in three and one-half years. Oneice worked at Woolworth’s candy bar and made ice cream sandwiches to help support them during these years. Upon graduation, they moved to Atlanta, Texas, where H worked for the Highway Department. They transferred with the Highway Department to Texarkana, Texas and lived there for more than 30 years. They were members of Williams Memorial Methodist Church and worked with the youth, cooking many chicken and spaghetti dinners to raise funds for youth trips. Oneice enjoyed her time serving as summer youth counselor at Lakeview Methodist Camp, where she made many friends and great memories. She supported the THS band booster by working in concession stands at football games and at the fairgrounds. She loved to create and her home was full of the hand-made things and collections she had, including her beautiful quilts and cross-stitched pictures. She and H loved to garden and they canned many jars of tomato juice, pickles and jelly together. She made the best cornbread in the world. She collected antiques, dishes, Barbie dolls and hats. Her yard was always beautiful and full of roses and azaleas. She was quick with a smile and loved to visit with her friends. She spent many hours researching her genealogy and helped start the annual Russell family reunion in DeKalb, Texas. They moved to Atlanta, Texas for a number of years and had recently moved to Hallsville. She was a wonderful wife and mother and she will be missed. Funeral services will be held at Hallsville United Methodist Church at 10 AM on Monday, February 29, 2016, with visitation preceding the service at 9 AM at the church. Interment will be at Chapelwood Memorial Cemetery in Nash, Texas at 2 PM. Memorials may be given to her church.

Oneice Jessie Russell Hodgson

October 6, 1925 - February 24, 2016