Doris "June" Hodge

June was the daughter of the late Thomas M. Myers & Elizabeth Marsh Myers. She lived in a number of small towns and cities in Mississippi during her childhood. She graduated from Mississippi College with a Bachelor of Science degree and received her Master’s degree from Appalachian State University. While at Mississippi College, she met & courted William T. (Bill) Hodge. They married and enjoyed 71 happy years together. During WWII, she served as an instructor at Keesler Air Force Base. Following his return from service, June and Bill moved to Des Moines, Iowa where they were blessed with the birth of two daughters. Later, the family moved to Rapid City, SD and Huron, SD where she worked as a church secretary and home-maker. In 1959, a move to Asheville, NC brought opportunities for church and community service and for continuing education as she pursued her master’s degree. She taught biological science courses at Montreat-Anderson College in Black Mountain, NC where she promoted one of the first Earth Day celebrations. While living in Asheville, Bill & June experienced many happy hours together, hiking the mountain trails and visiting scenic spots. In 1986, they moved to Ocean Springs, MS and later to Clinton, MS.

Bill & June were long-standing and active members of First Baptist Church in Asheville, NC, First Baptist Church in Ocean Springs, MS and most recently, Northside Baptist Church in Clinton, MS. June served as a Sunday School teacher, WMU director, GA leader and active member of many church committees. She was especially devoted to mission projects and shared this love for service.

Possessed of a scientific mind and creative spirit, she enjoyed gardening, bird-watching, sewing, art and especially relished assisting Bill with his genealogical and weather research. She participated in the Cornell Lab Great (Global) Backyard Bird Count until just a few months before her death. She served as a docent at the Walter Anderson Museum in Ocean Springs, MS and greatly enjoyed working with groups of children to foster both a love of art and an appreciation of the natural world. She worked to develop her talents by taking watercolor classes until well into her 80’s. June took great joy in creating unique watercolor paintings for her family.

June found great pleasure in sharing family memories, which was most evident when she was with her children, grandchildren, and great-granddaughter. She loved to share reminiscences of her growing up. She took time to create interesting educational experiences tailored to the age and interests of the children in the family.

Expressing her love of her friends and family through her words and actions, June was a nurturer and caregiver. She was a great believer in letting her family know that she loved them and some of her last words were to say “I love you!” to Marsha.

June is survived by daughters Marilyn (Lowe) and Marsha (Solomon), son-in-law Gary Solomon, grandson Eric Lowe and wife Megan, grandson Christopher Lowe and wife Ann, great-granddaughter Erin Elizabeth Lowe, sister-in-law Alma Simmons Rose, and many extended family members. In addition to her parents, June was preceded in death by her husband, William T. (Bill) Hodge, sisters Wilma Myers Breazeale (Billie), DeLaris Myers Jackson (De) and Hilda Myers Thurmond.

Services will be held at Northside Baptist Church in the old sanctuary on Monday, April 11, 2016 with visitation at 12:00 PM and the service at 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the After School Program scholarships at Northside Baptist Church, 1475 East Northside Drive, Clinton, MS 39056 or to a charity of your choice.

Please visit www.lakewoodfuneralhomes.com to visit June’s online guestbook.