Betty Hodges

 Betty Hodges, 86, devoted and loving mother, wife and friend, passed away January 30, 2024.  Born June 9, 1937, in Wellborn, FL to parents Oliver and Alma (Cheshire) Harrell, Betty and her siblings (sisters Gladys and Sybil, brother Lee) moved to Orlando when she was very young.  She attended Kaley School, Cherokee, and Boone High School. 

 Throughout her life, Betty's greatest joys included her children, grandchildren, and hosting gatherings of family and friends.   She loved the holidays, especially Christmas, and always ensured each one was special and unique.  She had a passion for interior design, antiques, cooking, baking, her church family, country music and travel. Upon retirement, she and her husband Bill created “Hodges Haven,” a North Carolina retreat in the mountains where they lived part-time. 

 After a long and fulfilled marriage of 56 years, Betty decidedly cared for Bill through a long and difficult illness before he passed away in 2011.  She is also predeceased by her oldest son, William “Billy” Hodges, Jr.  who passed in 1990 and oldest daughter, Deborah Lynn, infant, born and deceased in 1958. 

 Betty’s love and legacy are her surviving children and grandchildren: Cindy (Charles) Morgan of Gallatin, TN, Lora (David) Dennis of Hendersonville, NC, Michael Hodges (Rob Nicoletti) of Orlando, grandson Matthew (Devon) Taitano of Gallatin, TN and granddaughter Bethany (Winston) Gallimore of Lynchburg, VA.