Mary Alice Hodge
Comments 1 Recommend 0
HOUSTON, Texas
December 09, 2009 4:27 PM
Mary Alice Hodge, 86, passed away at 6:12 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009, at the home of her daughter, Donna, in Houston, with family members at her side.
She was born on Dec. 22, 1922, in southeast Missouri, the daughter of the Rev. O.L. and Dessie (Greer) Bond.
She married Cecil C. Hodge on Dec. 27, 1944, in Meadowbrook at the home of her parents. He preceded her in death on Jan. 17, 2001.
She lived and grew up in several Southern Illinois coal-mining towns before coming to the Wood River area and then Meadowbrook. During World War II, she worked at Scott Air Force Base and Western Cartridge Company for the war effort. She was a high school English and reading teacher in the Bethalto School District. She received her B.A. degree, M.S. in education and a reading specialist degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. She was a life member of the IEA, NEA and a member of BEA as well as Future Teachers of America. She received "Favorite Teacher of the Year" several times, voted on by the students. She loved being a teacher.
Mary Alice was a longtime member of the First Church of God of Meadowbrook. She served in many capacities there, taught Sunday school classes for many years, was a member of the WCG, and was involved in music there for more than 50 years. She directed the Chancel Choir, the Goodtime Singers, played the piano and organ for services, for weddings and special music. She was a loving, caring daughter, mother, "Granny," friend and wife as well as aunt and sister-in-law.
She is survived by four children and their spouses, Cheryl and Gary Cannon of Bethalto, Donna Thomson of Houston, Mary Kay and Jeffrey Rigdon of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Dennie and Barbara Hodge of Jerseyville; grandchildren, Dennis Hodge of Jerseyville, James Hodge of Norris City, Ill., Angela Rigdon of Fort Lauderdale, Melanie Cannon and Sara Cannon, M.D., both of Alton, and Philip Thomson of Houston; great-grandchildren, Jacob Hodge of Norris City and Tyler Rigdon of Thorntown, Ind., and a special caregiver, Malissa Recter of Houston.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Robert Cecil Hodge; a sister, Betty Haycraft; a brother who died in infancy, "Baby Brother;" and a grandson, Terry Allen Rigdon.
In celebration of her life, visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, at Elias, Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home in Bethalto.
Visitation will continue from 10 until funeral services at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at First Church of God Of Meadowbrook, at Maple and Elm, with the Rev. Bill Strawn and Pastor Jonathan Absher officiating.
Burial will follow at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens in Bethalto.
Memorials may be made to the Meadowbrook Church of God or the Women of the Church of God.
Online condolences and guestbook may be found at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com.
