Catherine M Hodges

Kathy Hodges was called home to be with her Savior, Jesus Christ, on December 22, 2023. Kathy was born on March 19, 1942, to Jesse and Maurine Thompson Malpass, in Amory, MS. Kathy lost her father at the age of eight and was raised by her mother, living in Amory, MS, Indianola, MS, and Kosciusko, MS. She graduated from Kosciusko High School in 1961, and attended Mississippi State College for Women (now MUW). While at MSCW, she met the love of her life, Harold W. Hodges, Jr., on a blind date, and they were married on December 23, 1963. After Harold graduated from Mississippi State in 1965, they lived first in New Orleans, LA, then moved to Jackson, MS in 1968. Shortly after moving to Jackson, she gave birth to her son, Harold “Wayne” Hodges, III. Wayne was diagnosed as autistic at an early age, and Kathy devoted the next twenty-four years to raising Wayne. She succeeded in raising a young man who overcame his disability and led an independent life until called home to the Lord on March 1, 2020. Her most outstanding accomplishment was teaching Wayne to love the Lord.

Kathy accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior at an early age in the Methodist Church. Upon her marriage she joined with her husband in the Presbyterian Church. In 1968, upon moving to Jackson, MS, she joined the Alta Woods Presbyterian Church. Over the next twenty-six years she served as a Circle Bible leader and held many offices in the Women in the Church, including President. Upon moving to Tupelo in 1994, she joined the Lawndale Presbyterian Church and was active in WIC. In 2001, upon moving to Algoma, MS, she joined the Maple Drive Presbyterian Church in Pontotoc, MS. While a member of Maple Drive, she became active in the Covenant Presbytery WIC, serving as President. In 2013, she rejoined the Lawndale Presbyterian Church where she remained until her death.

After her son entered college Kathy joined the work force, working at Seabrook Paint branch location in Jackson. After Seabrook she worked at home assisting Harold as bookkeepers for Alta Wood Presbyterian Church. After moving to Tupelo she worked as a decorator at the family-owned paint store. She was a skilled decorator assisting many customers in selecting paint colors and wallpaper. Her skills were put to good use in 2001-2002, as she and Harold renovated his grandmother’s one hundred-year-old house in Algoma, MS. They moved in, in 2002, and remained for the rest of their lives.

Kathy was skilled in arts and crafts and produced many beautiful cross-stitch pieces. She won many blue ribbons at the Pontotoc County Fair with her crafts.

Kathy is survived by her husband, Harold W. Hodges, Jr., sister-in-law, Patti Hodges and numerous nephews and nieces. She was predeceased by her son, Harold Wayne Hodges, III, her parents, Jesse Malpass and Maurine Burns, her sister, Martha Easley, and a brother-in-law, Bill Hodges.

Services will be at Browning Funeral Home, Pontotoc, MS on Thursday, December 28, 2023 at 11:00 A.M., with visitation on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Rev. Bill Bradford will conduct the services. Burial will follow at Old Monroe Cemetery, Algoma, MS. Pallbearers will be the men of Lawndale Presbyterian Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Old Monroe Cemetery Association, 100 Wallfield Road, Pontotoc, MS 38863.