Rev. David Lee Hodges

Reverend David Lee Hodges, Superintendent of the Florida District of Congregational Holiness Churches, passed away Thursday, August 10, 2023 at the University of Florida Shands Hospital in Gainesville, surrounded by his family at the age of 74. A Class of 1967 Graduate of Baker County High School, David was born in Macclenny on November 22, 1948 to the late Mr. Clifford and Allie (Hersey) Hodges.

Ordained in 1968, David dedicated his entire adult life to the ministry and leading souls to Christ. He pastored several churches over the years but had spent the last twenty-three years at Manntown Congregational Holiness Church as senior pastor. In 1999, he would take the position of superintendent of the Florida District of Congregational Holiness Churches and served proudly. Along with his ministry, he would work in the insurance field for many years, working for Liberty National, and even owned his own agency, Hodges Insurance Agency in Starke. David also spent time working with the Bradford Telegraph and the Baker County Press as a typesetter.

In his spare time, David enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, gardening, and hunting in his younger years (until it got too hot). He loved to travel, especially to Cades Cove in the Great Smokey Mountains. After his ministry, family was most important to David. He was a loving and dedicated family man.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Idus Hodges, Warren Hodges, Linnie Mann, and Louise Griffith.

Left behind to cherish years of precious memories, his wife of fifty-four years: Retha (Miller) Hodges of Starke; daughters: Michelle (Jason) Silcox of Starke, Karen (R.B.) Lauramore of Raiford, and Dawn (Glenn) Corbett of Franklin, Georgia; grandchildren: Glenn (Arica) Corbett Jr., Tiffani (Kristopher) Howell, Dustin Lauramore, Macy Lauramore, Noah Silcox, Destiny Lauramore, and Bristol Hilliard; great-grandchildren: Avery-Georgia, Grayson, Nolan, Jensyn, Thomas, Harper, Landen Lee, Annesly-Paige, and Benjamin; sister: Janie Wiggins of Sanderson; as well as a host of extended family members and church family.

The family will be receiving friends Sunday, August 13, 2023 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the Glen Congregational Holiness Campground, 7036 E Andrews Street, Glen St. Mary, Florida. A homegoing service will held Monday, August 14, 2023 at 1:00 PM at the Campground with Rev. Oral Lyons and Rev. Justin Griffis officiating, and Rev. William Crews assisting. He will be laid to rest at Crosby Lake Cemetery.

Hawke M.T. Forbes and H.M. “Hank” Forbes, Jr. of Forbes Funeral Home are honored to assist the family with the arrangements. 409 West Macclenny Avenue, Macclenny, Florida 32063 “With Your Family In Mind”. (904) 259-4600. Please leave your condolences for the family in the online guestbook at www.forbesfuneralhome.net.

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