Virginia Ball Hodges

On January 5, 1931, in Lillian, TX, Chester Robert “Check” Ball and Lydia Jane (Ellis) Ball gave this world a one-of-a-kind gift – Virginia Darlene (Ball) Schmitz Hodges… aka, “Gin”, “Mom”, “Mother”, “Momma”, “Meme” and, don’t be surprised if you hear the occasional “My Meme” (the necessary distinction one makes amongst 7 grandkids, 11 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandbabies.)

Check and Lydia had 8 children (3 boys & 5 girls.) Virginia was the youngest and last survivor. Her mother, Lydia, passed when Virginia was just 5 years old. Check worked hard to provide for his family, drilling water wells in Johnson, Tarrant and surrounding counties while operating a small farm in Lillian. It should be noted that Virginia’s tenacity and wherewithal were ignited during her childhood.

At the age of 15, Virginia began working. She wasn’t afraid to try anything… waitress, carhop, soda fountain, dental assistant, electronics assembler… anywhere from Mustang Café near SMU to Fred’s Drive-In to various family businesses. Virginia met Donald Schmitz during this time. They married in Dallas in 1947 and went on to have four children together: Larry, Michael, Stephen & Donna. In 1958 she began her electronics assembly career at Texas Instruments, taking the night shift to be with her children during the day.

Donald passed away in 1961 leaving Virginia with 4 young ones to raise. She naturally and stoically assumed the responsibility of sole caregiver and provider. She could tell you story after story of obstacles she navigated during this time – any one of which would drop your jaw in amazement. Virginia would marry Herman “Bud” Hodges in 1963 and couldn’t have chosen a better life partner and provider for her children and subsequent generations. She retired from Electrocom in 1996 to care for Bud and her remaining siblings. Bud passed away in 2003, and Virginia would later experience the loss of her son, Stephen, in 2011 and her great-granddaughter, Kira, in 2019.

Determination doesn’t entirely capture it. She was a beast. Hard-headed, unrelenting, confident and steadfast. She was feisty… until the very end. She had big opinions about most things and was not afraid to share them with anyone. And she had a very distinct glance letting you know if she didn’t agree with one of yours. She was spunky, hysterical and strong willed. You wanted her on your side. She did not take no for an answer. She was a champion in so many ways, providing a clear example of what was possible.

Virginia loved to travel – especially road trips with family and friends. She liked to go fishing, particularly on South Padre Island. She loved to cook for her family and would always make sure to accommodate everyone’s favorites. She would bake her famous strawberry cake and get so tickled as you enjoyed every bite. And once you finished your first piece, she would insist on a second. She was good like that – you’ll never go hungry at Meme’s. One of her very favorite things in life was playing with the wee ones – her babies, her babies’ babies, her babies’ babies’ babies – you get the idea. And when she wasn’t playing with them, you could easily find her crocheting baby blankets for them.

Virginia adored her family more than anything. She was so proud and wasn’t shy about it. She was happiest when she was surrounded by ‘all the kids’. And consequently, every generation she nurtured became quite an expert at dominoes and 31 (a favorite card game). No gathering was official until everyone gathered around a table not quite big enough for the growing number of people sitting at it. The sound of smack-talk came second only to the biggest bouts of face-hurting belly-laughs. It was a proud moment as a young child in this family to finally graduate to the playing table. A right of passage, if you will.

Virginia was a beacon of many things – strength, honor, integrity… most importantly, she was the rock in her family. She was the constant. The source. The touchstone. She loved endlessly and enthusiastically. She was the best storyteller and recounted them with impossible detail. She was so funny… really silly. Sometimes intentionally - and sometimes not. She had the most glorious, unbridled and recognizable laugh you ever heard, matched with great style and an impeccable hairdo. She was the bee’s knees!

Perfectly paired with her strength and wit were tenderness and compassion. She had the sweetest soul with the softest hands and biggest hugs you could sink right into. She provided unmatched warmth and safety. She is everything you would ever want from a mom, sibling, grandparent, mother-in-law, daughter, wife, friend… she really was spectacular.

In her 93 ½ years, Virginia made a tremendous impact on so many. She lived a full and extraordinary life. We honor and celebrate her with precious memories and the reminder to cherish the ones you love.

“Knock, Knock” (a little card playing humor for her family)

In lieu of flowers, her family requests donations in Virginia’s memory be made to charities (of your choosing) supporting research and/or treatment of Alzheimer's Disease, cancer or diabetes, each of which has impacted the Schmitz/Hodges family.

Virginia's services will be held on Thursday, June 27th. Her visitation will be at 1:00 PM and will be followed by her funeral service starting at 2:00 PM.