Claire A. Hodnett

HODNETT, Claire Alexander, 95, widow of James Asa Hodnett, Jr., passed away Monday, September 23, 2013. Mrs. Hodnett was the last of the nine children born at Lama Farm near Old Church in Hanover County to Willard Monroe and Laura Douglas Alexander. She is survived by 3 daughters, Elizabeth White (Robert H.), Ellen Soyars (B. Anderson, Jr.), and Jayne Alexander; grandchildren, Carole Greeley (A. Leslie, Jr.), Benjamin Soyars, III, Lindsay Ward (Casey R.), and Katherine Wine (Jay); great-grandchildren, Brian and Laura Greeley, Samantha and Miller Dunn and Ashley Wine. She is remembered by numerous nieces, nephews and their children, and family friend Robert Tribble.

Mrs. Hodnett was one of the original residents of Old Westham, designer of the first logo of the Monacan Women’s Club, and a volunteer at Tuckahoe Elementary School. She was active in women’s programs at Grove Avenue Baptist Church during the 1950’s and later at Derbyshire Baptist Church. As a WWII bride, she followed her husband to assignments in South Carolina and Pennsylvania before the war ended and they settled in the Richmond area. She loved to tell stories about growing up on a farm and wrote them down for future generations to enjoy. Her stories were included in a booklet about Lama Farm prepared by Linda Wooddy for the 300thanniversary celebration of the house where Mrs. Hodnett grew up.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday, September 27th at the Parham Chapel, Woody Funeral Home, 1771 N. Parham Road, Richmond.

There will be a graveside service at Westhampton Memorial Park, 10000 Patterson Ave. on Saturday, September 28th at 11:00 a.m. Condolences may be offered at woodyfuneralhomeparham.com.