Ann Hodges Taylor

LaVeta “Ann” Hodges (Taylor), age 92, of Beaumont Texas, passed away October 2, 2023, at Harbor Hospice after an extended illness.

She was born May 10, 1931, in Harveyville Kansas and lived in various states throughout her life. She was the youngest of three children born to Frank and Ruth Ridley. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister, Wanda McCormick and brother, Robert Ridley.

Ann was a believer in Jesus Christ. She was a longtime member of Calvary Baptist Church in Beaumont, Texas, where she was the outreach coordinator for the Prayer Warriors ladies’ class. They could always count on Ann to be “in the know”, and minister to the needs of each class member.

Ann was a licensed LPN, earning her certification from Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital. She worked for many years in Beaumont beginning at Hotel Dieu Hospital and later at St. Elizabeth Hospital where she cared for those in the Neuro unit. This is where she met one of her best friends, Edith, who met her at those pearly gates. She was an excellent nurse and took exceptional care of her patients with the utmost professionalism and tender care. She was highly respected by those in the medical community and by the many physicians she worked with.

Ann’s hobbies included crocheting and knitting, and she was quite proficient at making Afghans, scarves, and doilies for family and friends. She passed this love down to anyone willing to learn. Those items, particularly her Christmas dishcloths, will be treasured mementos for years to come. She loved to play the piano and sat at the keys many an hour practicing cantatas and hymns. She never stopped perfecting her skill and continued even late in life taking lessons from her good friend, Maurice Morgan. Ann always welcomed anyone to her home with a cold drink. She made sure the refrigerator inside and out was stocked for family, friends and workers who came to the house. She enjoyed her pets over the years which included birds and her beloved cats that she doted on. She had a love for photography which she got from her sister, Wanda, and she showcased that with many albums documenting her life. Every wall and every shelf were proudly adorned displaying those she loved.

Her greatest sources of pride were her many cats, five daughters, thirteen grandchildren and twenty-five great grandchildren. Her life took many turns, ups and downs, filled with joy, pain, and heartache. However, throughout her life she trusted in God to see her through, focusing on keeping her family strong, which is evidenced by the strength of her daughters. When faced with a challenge or circumstance that she was unable to fix she would declare “It is what it is.” One of the greatest days of her life was when after thirty years, she was able to be with all five of her daughters. God is Good.

Ann is survived by husband, Ron Taylor of Lumberton; daughters, Nancy Smith (Michael) of Nacogdoches; Kathy Roberts of The Woodlands; Patti Johnson (Johnny) of Bevil Oaks; Dawn Lambert of Ashland City Tennessee; Karen Sarver (Doug) of Springdale, Arkansas; and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She leaves behind three spoiled cats, MoJo, MiMi, and Muffie (all with special needs). Her last words to us were, “Where are the cats?” and “Shut the door so the cats don’t get out!”. Anyone interested in adopting a spoiled rotten cat please contact the family.

A gathering of Mrs. Hodges’ family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Thursday, October 5, 2023, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. Her funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m., Friday, October 6, 2023, at Broussard’s, Beaumont, with her interment to follow at China Cemetery, China.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to The Lewy Body Dementia Association, Inc., 912 Killian Hill Road Southwest Lilburn, Georgia 30047, or  Donate Here or to The Samaritans Purse Ministries, P.O. Box 3000 Boone, North Carolina 28607 or Donate Here.