Jessie C. Hodges Sr.

When you think of Jessie Calvin Hodges, Sr., you think of a smile — wide, warm, and always ready. Born on June 5, 1938, in Memphis, Tennessee, to Lucille Honeysucker and Booker T. Hodges, Sr., Jessie grew up with a gentle spirit and a quiet strength that stayed with him his entire life. Jessie found faith early at Harris Memorial CME Church, and that faith became a steady thread woven through every chapter of his life. Later, with his devoted wife Rebecca, he continued worshiping at South Tulsa Baptist Church and Parkview Church of Quincy, Illinois, always grounded in gratitude, grace, and faith. If you ever saw Jessie near a lake or holding a fishing pole, you saw him at his happiest. Fishing wasn’t just a hobby — it was part of who he was. And he didn’t just catch fish. After years of dedicated work as a chef in the Marriott Hotel chain, Jessie could clean them, season them, and cook them to perfection. Feeding people was his love language, and he shared it generously. Early in life, Jessie married Glennie Faye Turner (deceased). Together, they welcomed two children who became the pride of his heart: Anita Faye Hodges, who later married Darrien Williams and Jessie Calvin Hodges, Jr., who married Sandra Packer and sadly preceded his father in death. Jessie adored his grandchildren — Glennita Williams, Joanna Hodges, and Jessica Hodges — each one carrying a piece of his joy and his legacy. For the last 26 years, Jessie shared his life with his loving wife Rebecca (Jolly) Hodges, a partnership filled with devotion, laughter, and companionship. Through Rebecca, Jessie embraced three stepchildren — Roger Jolly (wife Karen nee Tarn), Kent Jolly, and Laura (nee Jolly) Gonsowski (husband Joseph)— loving them as part of his own family. Jessie also had four grandchildren Matthew Jolly, Michael Jolly (wife Rebekah), William Gonsowski, and Grace Gonsowski and one great grandchild Ezra Jolly. Jessie also leaves behind his cherished sister, Margaret “Maggie” Jones of Olive Branch, Mississippi, and his brother, Warren O. Hodges of Carson, California as well as a wide circle of uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends — people who were touched by his kindness, his humor, and his steady presence. To describe Jessie’s life, one scripture feels especially fitting — II Timothy 4:6–8: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith…” Jessie lived those words. He fought his fight with dignity, he finished his course with love, and he kept his faith with unwavering strength. Jessie was an avid fisherman and it gave him great joy — in his own quiet way, he helped make fishers of men. Jessie’s story is one of love, faith, family, and a smile that made the world a little brighter. And that is how he will be remembered.

Tributes

Jessie C. Hodges Sr.

June 5, 1938 - July 13, 2026