Letha Hodges' Obituary
etha Mae Hodges was born on September 16, 1932 in Stark City, Missouri to Walter and Melba (Maness) Woodrum. She left to be with our Lord on April 22, 2008 in Lebanon, Missouri surrounded by her family. On March 8, 1952 she was united in marriage to Russell Dee Hodges who preceded her in death on August 6, 1985. Also preceding her in death were her mother, Melba Woodrum, her daughter, Linda Johnson, her son, Walter Hodges, her great-grandson, Connor Bell and her sister, Virginia Massey. She is survived by her father, Walter Woodrum, of Bella Vista, AR; two daughters, Diana Cumins, of Blue Springs, MO and Gail and her husband, Dr. Michael Miller, of Lebanon, MO; her grandchildren, Christy Henson, of Montgomery City, MO, Amy and her husband, Nathan Mattia, of St. Louis, MO, Richard Cumins, of Granite City, IL, Robert Cumins, of Kansas City, MO, Rachel Cumins, of Blue Springs, MO, Alexandra and Meagan Bell, of Lebanon, MO; and her nine great-grandchildren. She is also survived by one sister, Shirley Davis, of Bella Vista, AR, and other friends and relatives. Letha began attending school when she was only four years old and graduated from Midway High School in 1949 at the young age of sixteen years old, as the Salutatorian of her class. She attended Draughon Business College and graduated from there. She held many jobs over the years while traveling with her husband, Russell, while he was in the military. After purchasing their first farm in 1964, they moved to Lebanon and farmed there for many years. She was a very active 4-H Leader in the Friendship 4-H Club with her children and grandchildren. She worked for the Division of Family Services for twenty-five years and ended her career as a supervisor there. During her retirement, Letha enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and her love of farming. She ran two farms up until just before her death. It was not uncommon to see her tiny frame on her tractors feeding her cattle. She also enjoyed being an election judge in the Sleeper precinct, where she looked forward to seeing her friends. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Lebanon and enjoyed her friends there. She was always a willing helper when asked. She always looked forward to making Samaritan’s Purse shoeboxes during the Christmas season. Letha was an intelligent and active woman who loved to garden and read. In the summer she shared her delicious vegetables with all who knew her, even delivering them to the senior centers. Anyone who knew her, knew very little could slow her down. She fought bravely during her three bouts of cancer and was an inspiration to everyone she encountered. She will be missed by all who loved her and is now a wonderful blessing in heaven. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, April 25, 2008, in the Holman-Howe Funeral Home, Lebanon. Burial will be held at 12:00 p.m. Friday in the Springfield National Cemetery, Springfield, Missouri. Visitation will be held Thursday evening from 7 - 8:30 p.m. under the direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Lebanon, Missouri. Memorials to Samaritans Purse may be made through the funeral home. Return to top
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