Mary Hodges

Mary Francis Hodges, affectionately known as "Tic" and "Shorty," was born in Halifax, North Carolina, to Gladys and Clemmie Hill. During the peaceful morning hours of June 8, 2026, God embraced her spirit and called her into eternity. Mary attended Barley High School in Scotland Neck, North Carolina, and later moved to Washington, D.C., where she worked for Woodward & Lothrop (Woodies), Hecht's Warehouse and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) until her retirement. While working at Hecht's in 1975, Mary met the love of her life, Melvin Hodges Sr. What started as a special connection grew into a loving marriage on September 13, 1983. Together, they shared more than 42 years of love, devotion, and partnership. They raised a blended family of five children and created a life filled with laughter, faith, and countless cherished memories. Family and friends often called them "Diana Ross and Billy Dee" because of their style, charm, and the love they shared. Anyone who knew Mary knew how much she loved fashion and looking her best. Whether she was getting dressed for a special event or simply heading out for the day, she always carried herself with confidence, grace, and style. She was known for her sharp fashion sense, warm smile, and vibrant personality. On June 11, 2010, Mary was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses at the Hampton Coliseum. Although her baptism took place in 2010, her spiritual journey and dedication to Jehovah began many years earlier. She had been associating with the congregation since 1993 and faithfully studied Jehovah’s Word, attended congregation meetings, participated in the ministry, and applied Bible principles in her daily life. Her love for Jehovah was evident in the way she lived, the kindness she showed others, and her unwavering devotion to her faith. Mary found great joy in her field ministry and personal Bible study. No matter what challenges she faced, she always made time to encourage others with a kind word, a warm smile, or a thoughtful gesture. Regardless of a person's background, profession, reputation, or religion, Mary treated everyone with dignity, respect, and compassion. She had a special gift for connecting with people from all walks of life, making them feel welcomed, valued, and loved. Mary possessed a heart much bigger than her small stature. Anyone who spent time with her experienced her warmth, compassion, and loving spirit. She leaves behind a legacy of kindness, faith, strength, and joy. Her beautiful smile, vibrant personality, and words of encouragement will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Gladys and Clemmie Hill Sr, her son, Charles "Butch" Morton, her sister, Peggy Williams, her brothers, Clemmie Hill Jr., and Carlton Hill, and her niece, Monesha Hill. Mary leaves to cherish her memory, her devoted husband, Melvin Hodges Sr.; her children, Melvin & Outhit Hodges, Christopher Hill, and Lateisha (Marcus) Thomas; her stepdaughter, Vontrice; her mother-in-law, Alice Edwards; her brother-in-law, Darrah Hodges; her sister-in-law, Marrion Hill; her loving sisters, Gloria and Helen, her beloved grandchildren, Zavon, Melvin III, Marcus, Zyah, Melania, Omelia, and Chloe, her great-granddaughter, Kashton, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, her Jehovah's Witness family, and dear friends.