Marie Hodges

Marie Elizabeth Hodges, of Coweta, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday evening, December 30, 2010 at St. John Medical Center in Tulsa, OK at the age of 91 years and 5 months. She was a loving and caring mother and grandmother to her family. Marie was born on July 30, 1919 in her parent's home in Haskell, OK to E.H. Dunlap and Eva Ree (Matthews) Dunlap. Her 12 years of formal schooling were in her home town of Haskell, where she graduated as Valedictorian of her class of 1937. Marie immediately enrolled in Tulsa Business College, where she graduated in the summer of 1939. When her father became ill and passed away, she moved back to Haskell and made her home with her mother. She worked for 2 years in the Superintendent's office at Haskell High School. On August 10, 1940, she and her sweetheart of 5 years, Jim Hodges, were married and lived their first year in Haskell. In July 1941, they bought a home on the south edge of Coweta where she remained until August of 2010. On January 13, 1943, their son, Dennis, was born in the back room of their home. Marie's mother made her home with them helping with Dennis, milking cows, raising pigs and chickens. She passed away when Dennis was 16. Jim, Marie, Dennis and Mrs. Dunlap were members of the Presbyterian Church in Coweta, now the Mission Bell Museum. When the church closed they joined the Methodist Church in 1970. Marie had always played the piano in church since she was 5 years old, knowing only 2 songs, but later took lessons. When they joined the Methodist Church she was a volunteer organist and piano player and continued for 47 years until recently. She continued to play the piano at the Coweta Manor and their church services and entertained the residents there. She also sang in the choir at church and she was president of the United Methodist women for 10 years. Marie was a member of the Administration Board, Council on Ministries and Board of Trustees. She worked as bookkeeper for Vernon Cotton Co. in Coweta for 15 years and the Coweta Public School Administrative Offices for 20 years until her retirement on July 1, 1985. After retiring, she spent several years traveling with Wagoner Travel Tours, covering most of the United States, Canada, Mexico, Hawaii and the Caribbean. When Jim was diagnosed with cancer in 1992, she stayed home nursing him back to health after 5 surgeries. She had several hobbies. She played tennis, cooking, gardening, her church music and traveling to Branson. Marie is survived by her son, Dennis Hodges and his wife, Jeannie; one grandson, Chad Hodges and his wife, Cindy; one granddaughter, Kerri Wade and her husband, Mike; great granddaughter, Jennifer Collins and her husband, Justin; great grandchildren, Claire and Rush Hodges and Ty Wade; 2 great-great grandsons, Rocky and Ozzy Collins; and many nieces and nephews. Mare was preceded in death by her husband, Jim, her parents and 5 brothers. Funeral services for Marie will be at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 5, 2011 at the First United Methodist Church in Coweta, OK with Rev. Susan Whitley officiating. Burial will follow at Vernon Cemetery. Family and friends may send condolences to Marie's family online @ www.wrightfh.net. The family of Marie Hodges entrusted her care & services to Wright Funeral Home, 210 S. Broadway, Coweta, OK, 74429, (918) 486-5515. Pallbearers are Bill Bingham, Jerry Jamison, Bill Trower, Gary Chappell, Dave Templeton and Gary L. Chappell.