John Calvin Hodge November 5, 1926 - March 16, 2014

Sumter, SC

John Calvin Hodge, 87, husband of Rosa Way Hodge, passed away Sunday, March 16, 2014, at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston.

Born Nov. 5, 1926, in Sumter County, he was the younger son of the late Elisha and Mildred Stone Hodge. He was a graduate of Edmunds High School. Shortly after graduation, he entered the U.S. Navy as a seaman second class and served during World War II in the Pacific Theater. After the war, he worked as a sales representative for Gulf Oil Corp. In 1960, he opened his own business, Hodge’s Gulf Service Center on the corner of Liberty and Washington streets in Sumter. Years later, he opened Hodge’s Exxon on Broad Street at Wesmark Boulevard in Sumter. He retired in 1999 to spend more time with his wife, children, and grandchildren.

He loved his Lord Jesus Christ, the church, and music. He served as music director at New Salem Baptist Church for 47 years. He also served the church as a Sunday school teacher, a deacon and trustee. He was a Mason, former Omar Shriner, a member of the American Legion and the VFW. He also loved playing racquetball at the Sumter YMCA as long as his health allowed.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years; two daughters, LaVonne Hodge Bailey (Tommy) of Greenwood and Connie Hodge Cuthbertson (DeWayne) of Rutherfordton, N.C.; three grandchildren, Michael Thomas Bailey (Lauren), Alicia Bailey Keely (Nick) and Caely Elizabeth Cuthbertson; one brother, Dargan A. Hodge of Manning; a niece, Marlene Hodge of Manning; and a nephew, Keith L. Hodge of Manning.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at New Salem Baptist Church with the Rev. Kevin Massey and the Rev. Dr. Tony Gould officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Park cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Michael Bailey, Keith Hodge, Roy Alsbrooks, Chuck Mangham, Leon Stone and Alan Pinkerton.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and other times at the home.

Memorials may be made to New Salem Baptist Church, 2500 W. Oakland Ave., Sumter, SC 29154.

Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements.