Gene Shelton Helm Hodges

Gene Shelton Helm Hodges, 82, passed away Friday, November 22, 2013, in Gulfport. Mrs. Hodges was born on January 18, 1931, at the Hotel Dieu Hospital in New Orleans to the late William Ellison Helm and Gussie Shelton Helm and raised in Biloxi. Following graduation from Biloxi High School, she attended Mississippi Southern College (the University of Southern Mississippi) where she was a member of Kappa Delta sorority. While at Southern, she met the love of her life, William Harry (Bill) Hodges and they married on February 3, 1951, at St. Alphonsus in Ocean Springs. She worked tirelessly as a homemaker and mother until her children attended college, at which time she went to work with her husband, Bill, at Gryder’s Shoes at the downtown Gulfport store. They retired together from Gryder’s Shoes in 1993. She enjoyed Mardi Gras every year and was a former member of Les Masques. She was a Life Member of the Biloxi-Ocean Springs Junior Auxiliary. Mrs. Hodges was a member of Chapter A, P.E.O., and was recognized for sixty years of membership recently. She was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church of Biloxi. She and Mr. Hodges resided in Biloxi for many years prior to moving to Gulfport in the aftermath of Katrina. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, William Harry “Bill” Hodges, Sr. She is joining hands with him in heaven almost one year after his passing. The angels have recruited another “southern belle.” Surviving family members are a daughter, Nancy Hodges Dunaway and her husband, Dickie, of Gulfport; a son, William Harry Hodges, Jr., of New Orleans; three grandchildren, Kirk Ryan Lawrence and his wife, Jaymi, of Biloxi; Denise Dunaway-Ozerden of Gulfport; and Richard Damon Dunaway of Gulfport; three great-grandchildren, Vivian Caffee , Harty Noble and Miriam Dunaway Ozerden of Gulfport; one sister, Nancy Helm Tucker and her husband, Ben, of San Antonio, Texas; one brother-in-law, Malcolm Francis “Bud” Hodges and his wife, Leewynn, of Ocean Springs; sister-in-law, Martha Rehorn Hodges of Bushnell, Florida; many beloved nieces and nephews, and “personal assistant” Danielle Paull. The family would like to express their gratitude for the dedication and loving care of the nurses and staff members at The Boyington Nursing Center in Gulfport. They have been our extended family for over five years. Also, we appreciate the assistance of Gentiva Hospice for their guidance in the end. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Miriam Scarborough Scholarship, a scholarship for women attending a Mississippi college or university or Cottey College, c/o Chapter A, P.E.O., 1225 Iberville Drive, Ocean Springs, MS 39564, or to one’s cherished philanthropy. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:30 am on Wednesday, November 27, 2013 at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home on Porter Avenue in Ocean Springs. Friends may visit from 10:00 am to the service. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Ocean Springs. Honorary Pallbearers: Nephews, Michael Helm Tucker, Benjamin Thomas Tucker, Michael Dickson Hodges, Daniel Thomas Hodges, Robert Bruce Hodges, Malcolm Francis Hodges, Jr., and nieces, Suzanne Gail Tucker and Victoria Louise Hodges. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com