S.M. Hodges left his earthly life Feb. 25, 2009, at his homesurrounded by his family. He was born on Aug. 18, 1923, to SimmieM. Hodges and Mattie Robison Hodges and was preceded in death byhis parents; his brother, Elwood Hodges; and his sister, Earline H.Bourn.

Mr. Hodges was a lifelong resident of Lincoln County andgraduated from Bogue Chitto High School in 1939 at the age of15.

After high school, S.M. worked for R.J. Reynolds Co. andLofton’s Department Store prior to enlisting in the U.S. Marines in1943. He was a World War II veteran serving in the South Pacificand in northern China. After being discharged he returned toLincoln County.

In 1956, Mr. Hodges opened Hodges Men’s Shop, which he operatedfor 39 years. He was also a dairy farmer and raised beef cattle andtimber. He was a member of various professional and civicorganizations including the Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber ofCommerce, the Lincoln County Dairy Men’s Association, the LincolnCounty Forestry Association, the Civitan Club and the VFW.

Mr. Hodges was a loving husband, father, grandfather andgreat-grandfather who lived the American dream and encouraged thosehe knew to do the same. He is survived by his wife of 60.5 years,Marjory Summers Hodges; his two children, Michael Hodges, ofHouston, Texas, and Dixie H. Miller and husband, Jim, of BogueChitto; his three grandchildren, Jamie Miller and wife, Stacey, ofBogue Chitto, Amanda Stastny and husband, Eric, of Waltham, Mass.,and Johnathan Hodges Miller, of Lafayette, La.; and his threegreat-grandchildren, Max and Kinley Miller and Jacob Stastny. He isalso survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Clarmon and ThelmaHodges, of Brookhaven.

Visitation will be Thursday, Feb. 26, from 5 until 8 p.m. atBrookhaven Funeral Home on Natchez Drive. Services will be atPleasant Hill Baptist Church on Friday, Feb. 27, at 11 a.m., whereMr. Hodges was a lifelong member. The Rev. Floyd Higginbotham willofficiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Garry Hodges, nephew of Mr. Hodges; JerryRobison, cousin of Mr. Hodges; and his dear friends, Rodney Bond,Don Haralson, Ellis Williams and Bruce Richardson.