Obituary of Kemp R. Hodges

Kemp Ralph Hodges, 80, of Polly Street, Morganton, and a native and former resident of Watauga County, died Saturday morning, Sept. 10, 2011 at the Burke Hospice and Palliative Care in Valdese. Born November 21, 1930 in Watauga County, he was a son of John and Julie Brown Hodges. Mr. Hodges was a member of Community Baptist Church in Morganton and retired from Singer Furniture in Lenoir. Kemp loved his family. He was happiest creating wood carvings in his woodworking shop. Mr. Hodges is survived by his wife of 53 years, Eleen Trivette Hodges and one son, Robert Hodges, both of Morganton. He was preceded in death by an infant son, John Ralph Hodges, three sisters, Bonnie Richards, Odis Fox and Princess Brown, five brothers, Jim, Ray, Vance, Gray and infant Mansfield Hodges, and his parents, John and Julia Brown Hodges. Funeral services will be conducted Monday afternoon, Sept. 12, 2011, at 2 o'clock at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by Rev. Billy Bollinger. The family will receive friends Monday afternoon from 1 until 2 o'clock, prior to services, at Austin & Barnes. Burial will follow in the Jont Brown Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Community Baptist Church Building Fund, in care of Rev. Billy Bollinger, 2221 Arthur Stewart Dr., Morganton, NC 28655. Online condolences may be sent to the Hodges family at the website austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory in Boone is serving the Hodges family.