Raymond H. Hodge

Raymond Henderson Hodge, age 85, went to be with the Lord at home on December 29, 2008 after a lengthy illness. He was born in Walland, TN on May 4, 1923 to Herman and Elizabeth Jane (Betty) Tipton Hodge. In 1952 he married Inez Walker. They had almost 57 years together. He was a member of Mount Olive Baptist Church in Knoxville and served for eighteen years in the shut-in ministry. He retired from ALCOA with 42 years of service and was a member of the 25-Year Club. He loved the great outdoors and when he was younger he liked fly fishing, boating, camping, hiking, traveling and arts and crafts. Later he especially liked woodworking and carving. He built a model railroad of Walland. He dearly loved Cades Cove and had memories of visiting relatives and friends while it was still a working village. He loved to share stories with everyone about Cades Cove. When he was 70 years old he hiked to Gregory Bald with Bill Landry and was featured on a couple of Bill's Heartland Series. He was a member and past master of Woodward Lodge #737 F. & A.M., Knoxville Scottish Rite Bodies, and Cyprus Commandery #23. He proudly served his country in the Navy in World War II. He was on the Carrier USS Windham Bay CVE-92 in the Pacific. Preceded in death by: Loving grandmother (Mom) and step-grandfather (papa), Martha & Jasper Lawson; Grandfather, Iva Henderson Hodge; Mother, Betty Tipton Hodge; Father & Stepmother, Herman and Annabelle Hodge; Sister & Brothers-in-law, Eloise & Noah Hearon; Brother-in-law, Fred Whitehead and beloved nephews, Benny Reagan. He is survived by his loving wife & best friend, Inez; two brothers, John Max Hodge & wife Wanda and Arthur Hodge & wife Helen; three sisters, Virginia Stevens & husband Don, Edna Whitehead & Joy Reagan & husband Ben H.; many nieces, nephews, and cousins, special brother & sister-in-law, Orville and Reba Walker; special nieces, Donna Gregory, Terri McDonald and Connie White; special friend, Margaret McCarrell. Funeral service will be at 8:00 PM, Friday, January 2, 2009 at Smith Trinity Chapel with Dr. Deron Cobb officiating. Family and friends will assemble at 11:00 AM, Saturday, January 3, 2009 at Grandview Cemetery for the interment. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Mount Olive Baptist Church, 2500 Maryville Pike, Knoxville, TN, 37920 or Gideons International, PO Box 4035, Maryville, TN 37802-4035. Family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 PM, Friday, January 2, 2009 at Smith Trinity Chapel. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Raymond H. Hodge please visit our Sympathy Store.