E.M. Hodges, 79, of Ruth, departed this life, here on earth, forhis heavenly home on Sept. 7, 2008.

Visitation will be Tuesday from 5 until 9 p.m. at New LifeApostolic Church in Summit with visitation again on Wednesday from9 a.m. until services at 11 a.m. at the church. The Rev. MarcRutland and the Rev. Kenneth Patten will officiate. Burial will beat Topeka Tilton Methodist Church Cemetery in the Topeka Community.Jones Family Funeral Services are in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Hodges was born on Dec. 12, 1928 in McComb. He was the sonof Bennie and Tera Deer Hodges.

E.M. was a member of New Life Apostolic Church and retired frommaintenance as a millwright. He was a U.S. Marine and served inWorld War II and the Korean Conflict.

Mr. Hodges, in his later years before Alzheimer’s claimed allhis memories, had become a born-again Christian by asking God tocome into his life again.

Preceding him in death were his parents; the love of his life,Eunice Jane Thames; a brother, Willie Ray Hodges; and a sister,Gertrude Hodges.

Survivors include his daughter, Melva Williams and husband,Buzz, of Torbert, La.; a son, Eddie Hodges; his six grandchildren,Amanda and Destiny Williams, Robby Rutland and wife, Paula, ofDequency, La., Marc Rutland and wife, Torrie, of Larto, La., DavidHodges and wife, Dawn, of Ruth, and Christina Marsh, of Flowood;his 13 great-grandchildren, Jesseca, Jennifer, Colton, Dylan, Laneand Collin Rutland, Dustin and Devin Hodges, Jordan, Austin andAutumn Harris, and Arron and Devin Marsh.

Pallbearers will be Eddie Hodges, David Hodges, Marc Rutland,Robby Rutland, Buzz Williams, Eric Melton and P-Joe Reid.

Honorary pallbearer will be Lamar Melton.

I have done my work here on earth, I have done some good, donesome wrong, I have stood the test, I have done my best, now, I mustgo home to rest.