Franklin T. Hodges

Mr. Franklin Turner Hodges, 85, passed away Monday, January 12, 2015 at Northern Surry Hospital in Mount Airy. He was born January 25, 1929 to Richard Franklin Hodges and Jenny Hudson Hodges. He graduated from Dobson High School in 1946. He married Vernelle Wood Hodges on October 15, 1948. They had two sons, Larry Franklin Hodges and Dennis Nelson Hodges. Franklin began his career in the Soil Conservation Service in 1946 with a part-time job in Surry County. He received special training in his chosen career—The Soil Conservation Service—at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia and at the Texas Soil Conservation Training Center. In 1958, he assumed full time duties in Davidson County. He was transferred to Rowan County in 1959 and then to Stanly County where he made his home in the town of Richfield for 35 years. He was a member of Professional Employees in the Department of Agriculture and served as President of the Piedmont, North Carolina Chapter. He received multiple awards as a member of the Soil Conservation Service, including: Certificate of Merit for Outstanding Performance in 1969, Certificate of Merit for Outstanding Performance in 1972, and Certificate of Merit for Superior Performance in 1989. He was a member of Richfield Baptist Church where he was ordained as a Deacon in 1965. He served as a Sunday School Director, Church Secretary, Youth Sunday School Teacher, Royal Ambassador Leader, Coach of the Royal Ambassador Softball Team, Chairman of the Board of Deacons, and Grounds Keeper. As a dedicated member of the Richfield Civitan Club, he ministered to his community. He served the club as President, Director, and Secretary in addition to chairing many of the Club's community events. He was presented with the Civitan of the Year Award by his fellow Club members in 1986 and 1993. He was also honored as an Outstanding Club Secretary. He served as a member of the Richfield-Misenheimer Fire Department for 20 years, where he also served as Chairman of the Board of Directors. He was a member and Secretary of the Richfield Planning Board and was an elected official of the Town of Richfield. He was also a Boy Scout Leader and a member of the Troop 129 Committee. Franklin first left Surry County in 1952 to accept employment in Lexington, NC. He and Vernelle returned to their home county in 1996. He was a member of Central View Baptist Church where he also served as Deacon from 1998 until 2011. Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 17. 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at Central View Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Special Olympics, the Central View Cemetery Fund, or Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care. The family would like to express gratitude to Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care for their help and kindness during this difficult time. Online condolences may be made at www.moodyfuneralservices.com

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