Loretta Hodges

BERTRAND, Mo. -- On Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017, at 4:38 a.m. at the Bertrand Nursing and Rehab Center, Loretta Elizabeth "Betty" Hodges joined her Heavenly Father and received her angel's wings. She had been a resident of the nursing home since 2012.

She was born on Nov. 29, 1922, in Tanner, to the late Richard Vernon Vanover and Grace Whelshel Vanover.

She was married in 1936 to the late Elbert Lee Hodges. They had four children.

She worked at the International Shoe Company in Sikeston for many years and then later at the Brown Shoe Company in Charleston and the Florsheim Shoe Company in Cape Girardeau, from where she retired. For several years, she also drove a van transporting workers to and from the Florsheim Shoe Company. She worked full-time while also raising her family. She was a member of the Sikeston Community Church.

Loretta took great pride in her family. She loved fiercely and was loved dearly in return. She was the ultimate mother whose home was open to all. She never met a stranger and loved spending time with her friends and family. In both hard times and good times, she loved life. She was jolly and quick with a quip and a laugh. She will be sorely missed by all.

She was preceded in death by three brothers, RV Vanover, Lon Vanover and Ardell Vanover; and by two sisters, Mabel Harlow and Mary Jenkins. She was also preceded in death by two great-great-grandchildren, Leigh-Avy Grace Peters and Karson Payne.

She is survived by her four children, Lonnie Hodges (Brenda), Sikeston; Loretta Peters (the late Albert Peters Jr.), Bertrand; Gracie Elaine Payne (Orville), Sikeston; and Lee Hodges Jr., Claremore, Okla. She is also survived by nine grandchildren: Valerie Peters, Julie Hodges, Scott Peters, Lee Payne III, Bethany Payne, Michael Barton Hodges, Matthew Hodges, Ryan Payne and Jason Hodges.

She is also survived by 17 great-grandchildren: Austin Peters, Paige Archie, Chase Hodges, Oliver Hodges, Lara White, Jordan Payne, Nattiah Payne, Jillian Majors, Allison Majors, Olivia Majors, Jonathan Payne, Brett Ledbetter, James Mathis, Joseph Mathis, Jason Mathis, Brooklyn Payne, Tommy Payne; and 14 great-great children -- Daegan Archie, Jase Archie, Layni Grey Peters, Connor Ledbetter, Colton Payne, Jenna Mathis, Kaleigh Kirkish, Gavin Kirkish, Jonas Mathis, Lucas Mathis, Jordan Owens, Skylar Owens, Ryland Owens, and Liam Owens.

She is also survived by several nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

The family would like to express their thanks to the staff at the Bertrand Nursing and Rehab Center for the loving and tender care they provided for our loved one.

Visitation will be held at Ponder Funeral Home at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2017, followed by funeral services at 1 p.m. The Rev. Scott Sutton will officiate.

Interment will take place at Dogwood Cemetery, East Prairie.

Paid obituary