Clara Jean Hodges' Obituary
Clara Jean Hodges, 85, of Longview ? beloved mother, grandmother and friend ?passed away at home after a lengthy illness on Tuesday, February 22, 2011. She was born March 30, 1925, in Longview to Tom Degraffenreid and Ruth Calloway Harris, descendants of two pioneer East Texas families.
A woman of uncommon wisdom, wit and warmth, Clara Jean was fun loving, full of life and loved by all who met her. She was adventuresome, strong willed and loved a challenge.
After graduating from Longview High School, Clara Jean married Frank Allen Hodges, Jr., on October 24, 1942. While Frank was serving in the U.S. Army Air Forces, they were stationed in Greenville, Texas, and Alamagorda, New Mexico, prior to making their home in Longview where Clara Jean was a homemaker, mother and grandmother.
Clara Jean was a lifetime member of the First Baptist Church of Longview. She enjoyed reading, painting and playing cards. One of her favorite pastimes was going with her family to Cedar Creek Lake, sitting on the dock and fishing for catfish. She enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and especially loved Colorado in the fall.
Her husband of 62 years, Frank, her parents and her sister, Mary Lou Stovall, preceded her in death. She is survived by her two daughters and their spouses: Mary Elizabeth and Mel Tito of Dallas and Susan and Jack Post of Longview. Her two grandchildren, Julie Post and Katie Post of Dallas, her dear friend, Jen Brennion, and numerous cousins also survive her.
The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to her caregivers Rechelle Cox, Charlene Canada, Victoria Perkins, Geraldine Canada, Kashida Bush and the staff of Life Care Hospice.
The funeral will be held in the Ford Chapel at the First Baptist Church on Friday, February 25, 2011, at 12:00 noon. Graveside service will follow at Grace Hill Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer?s Association or Life Care Hospice.
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