Caroleen Bryan Hodges

Caroleen Bryan Hodges, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and faithful servant of God, passed peacefully into the presence of her Lord on January 11, 2026, at the age of 89. Born on December 22, 1936, in Vernon, Louisiana, Caroleen lived a life marked by unwavering faith, joyful service, and deep devotion to family and church.

Caroleen was passionately in love with God and His Word. From her earliest years, her life reflected a consistent calling to worship, pray, and serve. She sang in the choir of every church she ever attended, loved the old hymns of the faith, and found deep joy in lifting her voice in praise. Worship was not simply something she did. It was who she was.

After retiring as secretary to the Chancellor at LSU Law School, Caroleen and her husband, Bob Hodges, moved from Baton Rouge to Birmingham in early 2001 to help start a new church. With no fanfare and no paycheck, they volunteered wholeheartedly. Caroleen became the very first secretary of what would become Church of the Highlands, serving faithfully before the church ever had the means to hire staff. Together, she and Bob cherished their founding role and poured their hearts into the early days of the church they loved so dearly.

Caroleen went on to establish the first intercessory prayer team at Church of the Highlands, led small groups, and discipled countless women in prayer. She was a steady and joyful presence, faithful, encouraging, and deeply supportive of all that God was doing through the church. Much of her impact happened quietly, behind the scenes, yet her prayers and faith shaped lives in ways that eternity will fully reveal.

Above all else, Caroleen was a family woman. She adored her parents, treasured time together, and loved bringing her family close. Known as “the intercessor,” she faithfully prayed over her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her joy was steady, her encouragement constant, and her love unwavering, no matter the season.

She taught her family to love God wholeheartedly, to protect and cherish one another, and to serve people generously, especially through the local church. Her life was a living example of those values.

Caroleen was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert “Bob” Hodges, who passed in 2010. She is survived by her children, Robert “Denny” Hodges, Jr., Chris Hodges, and Karol Belcher; eight grandchildren, Katy Smith, Sarah Seales, Michael Hodges, David Hodges, Jonathan Hodges, Joseph Hodges, Tyler Hobbs, and Victoria Johnson; and eleven great-grandchildren, Jackson Seales, Andy Seales, Rhett Hodges, Ryser Hodges, Ethan Seales, Caleb Seales, Charlotte Hodges, Carolina Hodges, Rowan Hodges, Jane Hodges, and Heidi Seales.

Though she will be deeply missed, her family rejoices with gratitude and hope, knowing Caroleen is now in heaven, fully whole, worshiping her Lord, reunited with her beloved Bob, and joyfully joined with those who went before her. Her prayers continue to echo, her faith continues to inspire, and her legacy lives on through the family she loved and the church she helped build.

A memorial service celebrating Caroleen’s life will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at the Grandview Campus of Church of the Highlands. Visitation will begin at 11:30 a.m.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”