Ralph C. "Forty" Hodges, formally of 1423 Carolina Ave., Eden, and recently of Carolina House in Reidsville, died December 5, 2011 at Hospice House in Wentworth. Funeral will be held on Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 1:00 PM in the Fair Funeral Home Chapel with visitation from 11:30-1:00 prior to the service . Interment will be at Roselawn Memorial Gardens. Ralph was born in Draper (Eden) on January 11, 1927 to Charles Leonard (CL) and Lillie Layman Hodges. He served in the US Army from 1946-1949 serving in Europe. He attended National Business College in Roanoke, VA. , worked as an insurance salesman in Ohio and then as Financial Office Manager of Draper Lumber Company from which he retired. In his spare time, he coached sports at the Draper YMCA and was a lifetime member of the American Legion being affiliated with Post 254 in Eden. He was affiliated with the First United Methodist Church in Eden. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sisters, Mildred H. Martin and Geneva H. Underwood; brother, Benton Hodges; nephew, Charles E. Martin. Surviving family include sister, June H. Whitlow; nieces and nephews, Carolyn and Jeff Dunovant, Michael and Carolyn Whitlow, Dennis and Melony Martin, Glenn and Jane Martin, Rachel W. Martin; Great nieces and Great Nephews, Dawn, Kevin, and Mark Dunovant, Michelle and Christina Whitlow, Bryan, Adam, Wesley, and William Martin, and Elizabeth Martin Gates; Special Friends, Ms. Wayne Howell, Keith, Randy, Chase, Nicole, and Leah Howell. The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff of Carolina House for their loving care and concern for Ralph over the past 4 years. Also, thanks to the staff of the emergency room and the third floor staff of Annie Penn Hospital for their care. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Rockingham County, PO Box 281, Wentworth, NC 27375 or The Alzheimer‚Äö?Ñ??s Association, PO Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.fairfuneralhome.com
I love you Papa Ralph <3 You will forever hold a special place in my heart. You will be missed deeply by all of you friends and family. I will keep everyone in my prayers as we try to accept that you are now in a better place.
Nicole Howell
Please accept my sincere sympathy at the death of your brother, "Forty". He was a dear friend of my husband from the fifties until his death in 2002. Were it not for a obligation at my Church, I would be there to pay my respects in person. Please know that you are in my thoughs and prayers.
Gail Haley
To The Family, It was with deep emotions that we read of Brother Hodges passing. We at The American Legion , William Johnson Post 534 here in Eden wish to let you all know that Legionnaire Hodges will be missed.
C.D. Grant
Forty was a good friend of mine for along time he was a great sportsman and we always enjoyed talking sports and other events artound the ole'DRAPER YMCA and other places...he was one of the ole' Draper gang...always Mark
Mark Ellis
Forty was a very good friend of mine and as good a person as I have ever met. I truly belive I am a better person for having known him. You will be missed FORTY. Bobby
Bobby Setliff
Forty was a good freind to a lot people in the Draper section of Eden. He traded with me when I owned the Draper Shell. He will be missed greatly and sorry for loss.
Tommy Underwood
Known by many as "Forty" but by me as Ralph, although he was always like a father to me, and called PaPa Ralph by my children, Ralph was truly loved and will be missed. We were very fortunate to have Ralph in our lives. Thank you for including us in saying good-bye to him.
Randy Howell
Leave A Condolence Below For The Family Of Ralph C. "Forty" Hodges:Fill out the form below and Fair Funeral Home will forward this message to the deceased's family and post it on our website. All condolences are reviewed for content before being posted live.
