Irene Hodges, 93, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009, at King’sDaughters Medical Center in Brookhaven. Billie Irene was born Jan.8, 1916, to William Henry and Della Howell Smith, of D’Lo.

She graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi withthe Bachelor of Science degree and a master’s degree in elementaryeducation and taught in Greene County School System for 38years.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 60 years,Rayford Hodges. Also preceding her in death were four brothers,Earl Smith, Dub Smith and Vance Smith, of D’Lo, and James Smith, ofJackson; her two sisters, Ruby Jones and Bess Langston, ofJackson.

She was very devoted to her family and set a wonderful exampleof a Christian mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was amember of First Baptist Church of Leakesville.

Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Carolyn and TedRounsaville; her three grandchildren and their spouses, Terri andAnthony Melancon, Nikki and Jeff Henning, and Clint and ChristyRounsaville; six great-grandchildren, Myles and Grant Melancon,Mardie and Micah Henning and Carson and Ann Elise Rounsaville, allof Brookhaven. She is also survived by a sister, Mary LouiseMcLeod, of Mendenhall; and many nieces and nephews. She also leavesbehind two devoted caregivers, Polly Robbins and Mary Bennett.

Services will be held on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009, at 11 a.m. atFreeman Funeral Home in Leakesville with the Rev. Jimmy Holcombofficiating. Interment will be in Magnolia Cemetery inLeakesville.