Rossville - JAMES WILLARD HODGE "Jim", went to his heavenly home on December 17, 2013. He was a member of Germantown Baptist Church and was a former President of Merrymakers, worked in the preschool department and sang in the church choir and the Hallelujah Chorus. He was an ordained deacon and was retired from International Harvester and Costco. He was a Navy veteran. He was born in Hornsby, TN to Robert Henry Hodge and Iva Jernigan Hodge on December 21, 1930. He leaves behind to carry on his wonderful Christian legacy his wife of 57 years, Rachel Johnson Hodge, and their four children: son, Jon (Linda) Hodge of Bartlett, TN, daughter, Suzy (Mark) Beal, son, James Hodge, both of Olive Branch, MS, and son, Peter (Lisa) Hodge of Collierville, TN. He also leaves 10 grandchildren, Jacob (Callie), Joseph and Jill Hodge, Daniel (Amber) Beal, Brianna (Adam) Carlton, and Betsy Beal, David and Michael Hodge, and Ethan and Connor Hodge, along with five great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, one sister and three brothers. He leaves four sisters, Christine Dunlap of Dixon, TN, Mexie Shearin and Audrey Nell Hodge of Denver, CO, and Ivene Thomason of Euless, TX. Visitation will be held Thursday, December 19 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Forest Hill East Funeral Home. Visitation will also be held Friday, December 20 at 9 a.m.-10 a.m. at Germantown Baptist Church, with funeral service following at 10 a.m.

Forest Hill East Funeral Home (901)382-1000