Jean Hodges

R. Jean Hodges, 93, of Port Arthur, died Monday, February 21, 2022, at The Medical Center of Southeast Texas, Port Arthur. She was born December 19, 1928, in Winter Haven, Florida, to Zanie Parrish Ezell and Thomas Ezell.

Jean was the eldest of four children and the only girl. She and her brothers grew up in Florida. She later moved to Southeast Texas with her late husband, Earl F. Hodges, Sr.

Jean was a faithful member of Val Verde Baptist Church, Groves. For many years, she was involved with Women’s Bible Study. She enjoyed crocheting and stamping. She loved to make her own cards.  Jean was known for her dependability and willingness to lend a helpful hand anytime.

Until she was in her nineties, she was a remarkable “Energizer bunny”. Though never a dancer, she was known to several of her more mischievous nephews as, “Jean, Jean, the Dancing Machine”. I don’t know that she ever knew that but she would have thought it to be funny. She was always interested in her nieces and nephews and what was going on in their lives.

Above all else, Jean faithfully loved her family and her Lord. She was “always there”, always available, and always ready to help.

Survivors include her son, Reverend Frank Hodges and wife, Linda; granddaughter, Gina Hodges Martin and husband, A.J.; and great-grandchildren, Franklin and Xander Martin.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Zanie and Thomas Ezell; husband of forty-seven years, Earl F. Hodges, Sr.; and brothers, Buddy, Virgil, and Donald Ezell.

A gathering of Mrs. Hodge’s family and friends will begin at 10:00 a.m., with her funeral service at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, February 24, 2022, at Val Verde Baptist Church, 3900 Cleveland Avenue, Groves, under the direction of Broussard’s, 505 North 12^th Street, Nederland. Her interment will take place at Edgewood Cemetery, Jacksonville, Florida.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Mrs. Hodges to Val Verde Baptist Church, P.O. Box 785, Groves, Texas 77619.

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