John Hodgers

HODGERS, Deacon John Louis - Age 82, was called to be with the Lord on Friday, May 16, 2008 at McLaren Regional Medical Center after a brief illness. Family hour 11AM Thursday, May 22, 2008 at Foss Avenue Baptist Church, 1159 E. Foss Ave., Pastor Reginald Flynn officiating. Interment River Rest Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 11AM Thursday. Deacon Hodgers will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, and may be viewed from 12Noon-8PM Wednesday. Deacon John Louis Hodgers was born on June 7, 1925 in Tishomingo, Mississippi to Robert and Modenia (Southward) Hodgers. John was a United States Honorably Discharged Veteran. He was reared in the Carter's Branch Baptist Church where he began his walk with God. At a Cherokee, Alabama baseball game John met Julia Mae Thomas and on July 10, 1948 she became his wife. After the birth of their four daughters, they relocated to Flint, Michigan seeking a better life for their young family. The family united with the Foss Avenue Baptist Church over 50 years ago, where he served in numerous capacities. John retired from General Motors Fisher Body Division No. 1 after 30 years of service, and was a faithful member of UAW Local 581. John legacy includes three daughters, Carol (Emerson) Boles, Sybil Harris and Neysa (William) Burns; four grandchildren, Kimberly (Earl) Thomas, Rhonda Hodgers, Jeffrey Wilson and Rachel Burns; three great grandchildren, Jalen Hodgers, Kendall and Julia Mears; two brothers, Christee (Ethel) Hodgers, Sr. and James (Arezinia) Bennett, both of Alabama; five sisters-in-law, Mildred Armstead, Sadie Holmon, Gloria (Clarence) Calloway, Margaret and Neoma Hodgers; three brothers-in-law, Ellis Ricks, Willie Jr. (Mary) and Joe (Mary) Thomas. Wherever life took John, he collected people who became dear to his heart including Thelma Gail; godchildren, Ocie and Mary Johnson, Floyd and Dorothy Burns; many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends including the Thursday Breakfast Group: Alex Campbell, Jake Moten and Frank Taylor. John truly loved God, his family and his church. Mr. Hodgers joins in Glory his wife of over 47 years, Julia Hodgers; daughter, Glenda Hodgers; parents; stepmother, Alice Hodgers; mother and father-in-law, Willie and Georgia Thomas; son-in-law, Fred A. Harris; 4 sisters; and 4 brothers. The family would like to express special thanks to Pastor Reginald G. Flynn and the Foss Avenue Baptist Church family and to Dr. Brenda Rogers-Grays and her staff. Deacon Hodgers is not lost to us, we rejoice in knowing that he is simply absent from the body and present with the Lord.

John Hodgers

June 7, 1925 - May 16, 2008