Mary Gibson Hodge

A funeral service to celebrate her life will be held 11:00 A.M. Saturday, January 28, at Hickory Grove Baptist Church, with the Rev. Clint Pressley, the Rev. John Harrill and the Rev. Arnold Kessler officiating. Interment will follow in Sunset Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. Friday in the church worship center.

Born February 2, 1929 in Laurinburg, NC, Mary was a daughter of the late Charlie Clay Gibson and Anna Patrick Gibson Roberts. She was a graduate of Laurinburg High School and attended a local business school. She retired as a secretary with Belk Store Services after a number of years of service. Mary was a longtime member of Hickory Grove Baptist Church, where she was a member of the Friendly Sunday School Class and the Christianaires Senior Choir. Because of her love for children, she served in the nursery for a number of years.

Mary will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, sister and granny, who found joy and satisfaction in caring for and spending time with her family. If her family was all right, she was all right. Mary enjoyed traveling, cooking, bird and deer watching and caring for her dog, Benji. She also enjoyed playing the piano, especially during family get-togethers when her family would gather around and sing seasonal songs or those great hymns of faith.

She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 63 years, John H. Hodge, Jr.; five children, William Clay Hodge and wife, Kathy, of New Bern, Sheila H. Williams and husband, Skip, of Mint Hill, John G. Hodge and wife, Nina, of Charlotte, Stephen D. Hodge and wife, Patti, of Mint Hill, and Benjamin “Tom” Hodge and wife, Leslie, of Monroe; eleven grandchildren, Bryan Hodge, Christy Curley and husband, Chris, Nick Williams, Crystal Williams, Amber Williams, J.Q. Hodge and wife, Marian, Kaitlin Neal and husband, Adam, Evan Hodge, Brandon Hodge and wife, Brandy, Brittany Allen and husband, Cody, and Christian Hodge; and her special great-granddaughter, Caroline Curley. Mary is also survived by two sisters, Charlie Eury of Salisbury and Betty Martin of Vero Beach, FL; a brother, Frank Roberts and wife, Stephanie, of Hope Mills; and a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family offers a heart-felt thank you to the physicians, nurses and staff that have cared for Mary during her illness. The family also offers their most sincere appreciation to the Asbury Care Center staff, and Hospice and Palliative Care, Charlotte Region for their compassionate care and support in recent weeks.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hickory Grove Baptist Church, Hearts and Hammers Ministry, 6050 Hickory Grove Road, Charlotte, NC 28215.

Condolences may be offered at www.mcewenminthillchapel.com.

Arrangements under the direction of McEwen Funeral Service - Mint Hill Chapel, Mint Hill, NC.