Louise Wiggins Hodges

Louise Wiggins Hodges is now with her lord and savior Jesus Christ, having died Thursday afternoon at home from complications of Alzheimer's Disease and of diabetes. Louise passed at 4:31 pm, about three hours after returning home following five days of treatment at Nash General Hospital. Louise was born December 1, 1919 in Wayne County NC to John Bryant and Maude Wiggins. She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 68 years, Jerome Hodges. Jr. Also surviving are two sons: Jerome Hodges III and Betty of Rocky Mount, and Wayne Bryant Hodges and Cammie of Chapel Hill; three grandchildren: Jerome Hodges IV of Cambridge, MA, Lauren Elizabeth Hodges of Rocky Mount, and Matthew Lowe Hodges of Chapel Hill; and one sister, Mary B. Moore of Charlotte. Louise was predeceased by her brother, Alvin Taylor Wiggins of Rolesville, NC, and by two sisters, Ida Crumpler of Castle Hayne, NC and Vera Putnam of Portsmouth, VA. Louise graduated from Clement High School in Wallace NC in 1937 and attended Campbell College. Louise and Jerome met in 1939 in Goldsboro. They dated off and on for two years. Louise was the first (and would be the only) woman Jerome ever dated. They never discussed marriage, but on Christmas Day, 1941, Jerome was visiting Louise and her family in Wake County. At about noon that day, Louise' father suggested that they go to Dillon, SC and get married. According to Jerome, they both jumped at the suggestion. They made the long trip down to Dillon, and at about 7 pm that evening, they were pronounced "Man and Wife" by a female justice of the peace. Their marriage lasted until death caused them to part, over 68 years. After Jerome and Louise moved to Rocky Mount in 1948 she joined the Pentecostal Holiness Church on Redgate Avenue. The church later was renamed Living Faith Fellowship and moved to West Mount Drive in Rocky Mount. After joining the church, she served her Lord in whatever capacity she was needed. She taught Sunday School and was active in the Ladies Auxiliary. She also served as a Deaconess and church secretary, and she researched and wrote an early history of her church. Louise did much volunteer work in the local hospitals and rest homes of Rocky Mount. She also was very active in the day-to-day operation of the family business, Hodges Electric Service, for nearly 30 years. Louise had a love of oil painting. She painted portraits of her two sons, the family cottage at Pamlico Beach, and different natural scenes which she gave to friends and family. A funeral service will be held at Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home in Rocky Mount Sunday, August 29 at 3 pm with her pastor, the Rev. Danny Harris, and the Rev. Elwood Long officiating. Visitation will be at Wheeler and Woodlief at 2 pm prior to the service. Interment will follow the service at Rocky Mount Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Living Faith Fellowship P.H. Church on West Mount Drive in Rocky Mount. The family gratefully acknowledges the assistance of Corrine Garrett, whose help made it possible for Louise to remain in her home with Jerome until the last week of her life. The family also thanks Dr. Kenneth Adams and his staff. Louise wanted to be home with her family when she passed. The efforts of Hospice and Palliative Care of Nash General made this possible. To them and their staff, and to Laura Pippin CNA, our eternal thanks. Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home, 1130 N. Winstead Ave., Rocky Mount, NC. You may share your memories and send condolences to the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com. Visitation Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services 1130 N. Winstead Ave. Rocky Mount, NC 27804 ID ) ); ?>"> --> 252-451-8800 --> | Sunday 8/29, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Service Chapel of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home 1130 N. Winstead Avenue Rocky Mount, NC 27804 ID ) ); ?>"> --> 252-451-8800 --> | Sunday 8/29, 3:00 pm Cemetery Rocky Mount Memorial Park 4454 Dortches Blvd., Hwy 43 Rocky Mount, NC 27804