Peggy Nell Hodge

Homegoing services for Mrs. Peggy Nell Hodge will be conducted at 3:00 PM Sunday, March 3, 2024, at First Pentecostal Church of Jackson with interment following in the Garden of Memories in Florence.  Mrs. Hodge, after living a long and full life, passed away peacefully in her sleep Thursday morning, February 29, 2024.  She had just reached the age of 92.  Saulters Moore Funeral Home, Hughes Funeral Service, LLC, has been entrusted with arrangements.

The family will receive friends Saturday evening, March 2, 2024, from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM and from 2:00 PM until the hour of service at 3:00 PM Sunday at First Pentecostal Church.
Mrs. Hodge will be carried to her final rest by those honored to serve as pallbearers; they include Jonathan Pond, Daniel White, Jason Holliday, Jeff Holliday, David Moore and Nickolas Maly.  Honorary pallbearers include Devon Sistrunk, Gary Smith, Howard Thornton, Greg Horne, Ronnie Sullivan, and Jimmy Moser (posthumously).

Peggy Nell was born on February 24, 1932 in Mize, Mississippi.  She lost her mother at a young age and she "worked as hard as a man" on her father's farm.  She played basketball at Mize Attendance Center and loved telling her grandchildren how she could run and jump clear over the heads of the other students.
At sixteen, Peggy Nell was introduced to the love of her life, William Earl Hodge, by her cousin, Mary Alice. This was always her favorite story to tell. It began with him playing hard to get, a false start to an elopement and a night in jail and it ended with 69 years of marriage and her saying "there was never more of a better man".
Peggy Nell and Earl moved several times in the early years of their marriage, but primarily raised their family in Jackson, Mississippi.  She was a supportive wife to "Sug", a loving mother to her four children and a faithful member of First Pentecostal Church.  She brought her hard work ethic and sense of humor to her role as a homemaker, friend, sister and Granny.
Everyone knew that time spent with Peggy Nell meant you were guaranteed a laugh - a big laugh, tears rolling down your cheeks and nose running laugh. You may also get a few words of wisdom once she blew her nose. Her family counted on that wisdom and knowledge. Questions that began with "Mama could you", "Peggy Nell do you know" and "Granny do you have" were probably heard a million times when she answered the phone or opened the back door. And she always had an answer and always had what you were looking for. She would say, "That's why I don't throw anything out, somebody's gonna come looking for that and I'll have it".  Her knowledge of nature came from a love of the outdoors.  She saw something beautiful in every flower, leaf or rock.  Her medical knowledge was vast and only somewhat questionable.  Armed with experiences and reference books, she was always ready to diagnose you.  In recent years, as some memories faded, her mind was clearest when she thought her family needed her.  She would search her mind for answers to your questions, still offer some advice and be ready to make you laugh.
Peggy Nell's life was rich, full and in the end, she was prepared and peacefully went home to meet the Lord.  As we think of her sipping coffee with Sug in their heavenly home, we know we would not wish her back for one day just to bring us comfort.  She has been lonesome for heaven for some time now.  We will miss her always, but we will not grieve long.
Mrs. Hodge is preceded in death by her husband, William Earl Hodge; her sons, James Earl and Barney Earl; her parents, JP and Eunice Sullivan; her stepmother, Magdalene Sullivan; brothers, Jerry (Bill) Sullivan, Jackie Sullivan and her sisters, Jesse Ruth Sullivan, Annette Bynum and Katherine Garner.
Her memory will forever be cherished by her children, Peggy Jean (Roger) Maly, Cecil "Pete" (Wanda) Hodge and Helen (Earl) McCrory.  The legacy of their Granny will also live on through her 9 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Online condolences and a guest registry are available at www.saultersmoorefuneralhome.com