Obituary for Gladys T. Hodge
Gladys Marie Tarver Hodge, 98, of Palatka, FL, departed this vale of tears on July 31, 2020, bound for a new life among God's glorious gardens, where she will undoubtedly be named a Master Gardener.
Predeceased by her husband, Douglas Hodge, she leaves behind a large and loving family: children John Hodge III (Imelda) of Palatka, Bert Hodge(Irene) of St Augustine, Melanie Hodge Crews (Scott) of Espanola, and Stanley Hodge(the late Susan) of Palatka, along with a large and lively group of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Born 12/15/1921 into hard times in rural Swartz, LA, Gladys learned early the importance of family connections, respect, perseverance and honesty. She moved to Palatka to live with relatives shortly before WW2, where she met and married the love of her life, Douglas. Together they went where the US Navy sent them, he as a PBY radioman in the Caribbean theater, and after the war fetched up in the ancestral Hodge home of Palatka.
Gladys worked as a homemaker and mother until all her children were raised, and then entered the family business, the Credit Bureau of Palatka, where she managed and directed for years until the business was absorbed by the Jacksonville office.
She was a longstanding member of the Pilot Club where her tireless enthusiasm and creative participation in club projects were widely admired. She was also a long-time faithful member of the congregation at St James Methodist Church. Her accolades include honorary motherhood of Australian exchange student Jill Jackaman, who became a member of the family in 1968.
Gladys was the daughter of Yeldon ("Doc") Tarver and Myrtle McCullough, both of Swartz, LA. She was also predeceased by two sisters, Bessie Tarver Chancey of Palatka and Irene Tarver Mason of West Monroe LA.
Her heart was full of love, kindness, generosity and humility, and her soul was cut from a bolt of homespun goodness the likes of which is rarely seen anymore.
Graveside services celebrating Glady’s life will be at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 5, 2020 at Oak Hill East Cemetery in Palatka with Pastor Larry Litzell officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday at Johnson-Overturf Chapel in Palatka.
Due to COVID-19, those attending both the visitation and/or the service will be asked to wear a mask and maintain social distancing. Attendees to the graveside services on Wednesday are invited to wear casual, comfortable clothing.
Flowers are gratefully accepted, or memorial donations may be sent to St. James United Methodist Church, 400 Reid St., Palatka, FL 32177.
Memories and condolences may be expressed to the family at Glady’s Book of Memories page at www.johnsonoverturffunerals.com .
Arrangements are entrusted to Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka.
Predeceased by her husband, Douglas Hodge, she leaves behind a large and loving family: children John Hodge III (Imelda) of Palatka, Bert Hodge(Irene) of St Augustine, Melanie Hodge Crews (Scott) of Espanola, and Stanley Hodge(the late Susan) of Palatka, along with a large and lively group of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Born 12/15/1921 into hard times in rural Swartz, LA, Gladys learned early the importance of family connections, respect, perseverance and honesty. She moved to Palatka to live with relatives shortly before WW2, where she met and married the love of her life, Douglas. Together they went where the US Navy sent them, he as a PBY radioman in the Caribbean theater, and after the war fetched up in the ancestral Hodge home of Palatka.
Gladys worked as a homemaker and mother until all her children were raised, and then entered the family business, the Credit Bureau of Palatka, where she managed and directed for years until the business was absorbed by the Jacksonville office.
She was a longstanding member of the Pilot Club where her tireless enthusiasm and creative participation in club projects were widely admired. She was also a long-time faithful member of the congregation at St James Methodist Church. Her accolades include honorary motherhood of Australian exchange student Jill Jackaman, who became a member of the family in 1968.
Gladys was the daughter of Yeldon ("Doc") Tarver and Myrtle McCullough, both of Swartz, LA. She was also predeceased by two sisters, Bessie Tarver Chancey of Palatka and Irene Tarver Mason of West Monroe LA.
Her heart was full of love, kindness, generosity and humility, and her soul was cut from a bolt of homespun goodness the likes of which is rarely seen anymore.
Graveside services celebrating Glady’s life will be at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 5, 2020 at Oak Hill East Cemetery in Palatka with Pastor Larry Litzell officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday at Johnson-Overturf Chapel in Palatka.
Due to COVID-19, those attending both the visitation and/or the service will be asked to wear a mask and maintain social distancing. Attendees to the graveside services on Wednesday are invited to wear casual, comfortable clothing.
Flowers are gratefully accepted, or memorial donations may be sent to St. James United Methodist Church, 400 Reid St., Palatka, FL 32177.
Memories and condolences may be expressed to the family at Glady’s Book of Memories page at www.johnsonoverturffunerals.com .
Arrangements are entrusted to Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka.