Catherine C Hodges

Catherine Blanchen Crothers Hodges, born April 24, 1923 in Andong, Korea to Presbyterian missionaries, died in Birmingham on October 5, 2014. There is great rejoicing in Heaven as the gates are swung wide for her triumphal entry.

Predeceased by her parents, Rev. John Y. and Ellen M. Crothers; her brothers, Rev. James and Rev. Samuel Crothers; and her son, Terry Wallace Hodges, Catherine is survived by her sons William P. ‘Pat’ Hodges; Larry J. Hodges and his wife, Pam; daughter – in – law, B. J. Hodges, of Anthem, Arizona; her grandsons Adam J. Hodges and his wife, Allison, of Nashville; Vance C. Hodges and his wife, Joy, of Neenah, Wisconsin; and her granddaughter, Ansley C. Hodges of Orlando. Also surviving her are six great-grandchildren.

Her childhood was spent with her family in mission fields in Korea prior to her return to the States for secondary education at Lower Merion High School, Ardmore, Pennsylvania. She earned her undergraduate degree from Maryville College and a Masters of Elementary Education from Samford University. She distinguished herself as a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society for women in education and in teaching first and second grades for 23 years in the Birmingham School System. A true pleasure for her was teaching children of some of her former students.

Catherine’s love of birds found her to be a very dedicated member of the Audubon Society and the Alabama Ornithological Society. Being a long-time member of the late Helen Kittinger Tuesday birding group afforded her many wonderful bird watching pleasures. She was also a member of the Blanche Dean Chapter of the Alabama Wildflower Society.

Being the sister, daughter, granddaughter and great-granddaughter of Presbyterian (USA) Ministers prepared Catherine for a very deep faith. In Birmingham, she joined Five Mile Presbyterian Church in 1950 where she served as Sunday School Teacher, Elder, and Trustee. She was a very active member of Presbyterian Women, receiving the Presbytery’s Woman of the Year Award in 2009.

Catherine is well known as a loving mother, doting grandparent and great-grandparent, as a generous friend, a patient teacher and a good and faithful Christian. Missing her will only be put into place as we rejoice in her heavenly homecoming.

A funeral service will be held at Five Mile Presbyterian Church on Saturday, October 18 at 11:00. A Celebration of Catherine’s life will be held at Danberry in Inverness on Sunday, October 19 at 2:00. In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the American Cancer Society or the Dauphine Island Bird Sanctuaries ([email protected]).

Arrangements under the direction of Ridout's Valley Chapel, Homewood, AL.