Gwendolyn M. Hodge

Gwendolyn Mae Plant Hodge met her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on February 26, 2024 at 2:02 PM, peacefully, surrounded by loved ones at her home in El Paso, TX. She is preceded in death by her husband, Ben Hodge, Jr., her granddaughter Jillian Hunter, and her siblings: Billy, Jeanie, Betty Lou, and Bunny. She is survived by her brother Alfred, her children – Benny and Cindy Hodge and Ron and Marsha Cardenas, her grandchildren, Justin and Cassie, Bethany, Abigail and Cody, and Joshua, and her 9 great grandchildren- Jacob, Joshua, Hayley, Taylor, Kate, Daniel, Joanna, Rayne, and soon Eliza Gwen.

Gwendolyn Hodge was born in Joplin, MO on December 21, 1934. She married her husband of over 60 years in Springfield, MO and immediately began her journey into the ministry. She was more than just the wife of a pastor, she was an integral team member to his ministry, proofreading, typing, researching and being a captive audience for every sermon. The happy couple moved to El Paso, TX where they joined Ben Hodge, Sr. and his wife Volree in the establishing of Bethel Family Ministries, formerly known as Bethel Temple.

Gwen had a passion for children and for education, as was evidenced by her studious nature – spending hours and hours, even up until the end of her life, fact checking and researching. She had a desire to know the truth. She started Bethel Christian School. From 1975-2010, she saw her vision come to life as numerous children walked the halls of Bethel Christian School.

Always serving, she gave every ounce of energy and love to furthering the gospel of Jesus. Whether that was by picking up rocks/pulling weeds, teaching Sunday School, or tutoring her great-grandchildren. She never quit. Gwendolyn Hodge was the perfect picture of tenacity, faithfulness, and passion. In everything she did, she made sure that her 100% was given and that her 100% was always glorifying her Heavenly Father.

In her final days, she could be heard saying that all would be well, that God is still on the throne, and that she was going to meet Jesus. She was confident in her salvation. Death was not something that she feared, it was but the transition to the life that she desired: the life that comes with 80 years of knowing whom she hath believed and was persuaded that He would keep that which she had committed unto Him.

Service time to remember Gwen will be held at her home church, that she helped establish, build, run, and faithfully attended – Bethel Family Ministries, 6301 Alabama, El Paso, TX 79904. Visitation will be at 12:00PM with service to follow at 1:30PM. In lieu of flowers, Gwen would like all donations to go to the passion project: Bethel Family Ministries Biblical Archaeology Showcase.