Emmerlean Hodges

MALDEN - Emmerlean Hodges, 83, died Dec. 23, 2005, at her home.

Born July 9, 1922, in Caruthersville, daughter of the late Malkiah and Henrietta Davis, she had lived in Arkansas and Hermondale. She worked as a farm laborer in the military hospitals during WWII, and as a cook for the Malden Head Start Program. She was a member of Parma House of Praise COGIC, where she served as a Sunday School teacher, Sunshine Band leader, Adult Choir president, YPWW President and Deaconess.

She was married to Willie B. Hodges, who preceded her in death.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by: one son, Willie B. Hodges Jr.; one daughter, Brenda Kaye Hodges; three brothers and four sisters.

Survivors include: four sons and one daughter-in-law, Jimmie Hodges and Garry Hodges, both of Malden, Nathaniel Hodges of Belleville, Ill. and Larry and Rachel Hodges of Cape Girardeau; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Emmarie and Larry Forkum and Betty and James Caldwell, all of Malden, and Barbara Hill of Bowling Green, Ky.; one brother and sister-in-law, Malkiah and Edlene Davis Jr. of St. Louis; one brother-in-law, Lex Donaldson; and 24 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until time of services at noon Saturday at Landmark United Pentecostal Church in Malden. L.T. Young and Ronald Pulley will officiate.

Burial will follow in Macedonia Cemetery at Malden.

McDonald-Horne Funeral Home of Blytheville, Ark. is in charge of arrangements.