Fred Raymond Hodges

Fred Raymond Hodges, 90, of rural Jonesboro, died Saturday morning at St. Bernards Medical Center.

Born in Coffeeville, Mississippi, Fred lived in Earle before moving to Jonesboro in 1947. He was a U.S. Army Air Corps veteran of W.W. II, serving 35 combat missions aboard a B24 Bomber. He was honorably discharged as a Sergeant.

Fred was a 1956 graduate of Arkansas State University and a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service, retiring in 1984 with 30 years of service. He was engaged in agriculture and was a row crop farmer for many years. He also raised Hereford cattle and especially enjoyed being around them and caring for them.

Fred was a member of First United Methodist Church where he formerly served as usher and was a member of the Men’s Fellowship Sunday school class. He was a member of the Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association and the American Hereford Association. He was preceded in death by his wife, Bessie Kate Bell Hodges, his parents: William C. and Lula Gertrude Brannon Hodges, 2 brothers: Leroy (Lena) Hodges and Ben (Blanche) Hodges, and a sister, Iva Mae (Jess) Gerig.

Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, David and Angie Hodges of Jonesboro; and
2 granddaughters: Hannah Rae Hodges and Ragen Caroline Hodges.

Graveside funeral services will be held Tuesday morning at 11:00 in Jonesboro Memorial Park with Charles Stoddard and Scott Gibson officiating.

Active pallbearers include Dennis Lamberth, Tony Elmore, Lamar Faught, Joe Monroe, Mike Grimes and Bert Cole. Honorary pallbearers include Eddie Johnston, Carroll Gott, Jim Lawson, Lowell Faught, Charles Belk and members of the Men’s Fellowship Sunday school class at First United Methodist Church.

Visitation will be held Monday evening, 5-8, at Emerson Funeral Home.

For lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration be given to Voice of Hope, P.O. Box 1780, Rogers, AR 72756, or the American Diabetes Association, 320 Executive Ct., Suite 104, Little Rock, AR 72205.