Jean H. Hodges, of Raeford passed away peacefully on August 23. She leaves a legacy of entrepreneurial achievement, professional distinction, community service, civic contributions and devotion to family and faith.
Born Billie Jean Hardin, in Waco, Texas, she was one of five children of Ben and Sue Hardin. Jean went on to earn a B.A. degree from Texas Christian University and an M.B.A. from the University of Mexico.
In 1974, Jean chose Raeford as her family's home. Realizing there was need for such services in the area, she founded the Fayetteville-based marketing, advertising and public relations agency, Hodges Associates. She remained until her death as CEO and a valuable advisor to the business she pioneered. Along the way, she inspired and mentored many people pursuing careers in her beloved profession. Under Jean's leadership, Hodges Associates earned numerous awards for creative achievement and business excellence.
Jean was honored personally with the first ATHENA Leadership Award given in the Fayetteville area. This national award recognizes recipients for their outstanding work that benefits professional women. She was also named Outstanding Woman Entrepreneur from Methodist College (now Methodist University). Among the elite group of industry professionals inducted into the North Carolina Advertising Hall of Fame, Jean also earned the Silver Medal and the Legion of Excellence Award from the American Advertising Federation (AAF). She founded the Fayetteville area chapter of this organization and served the AAF in several local, regional and national leadership positions.
Community service was an important part of Jean Hodge's life. For her, giving back meant supporting organizations and causes she truly believed in and making a wholehearted commitment to each and every role she took on. Numerous area organizations benefited from Jean's contributions as a director, board/committee member or volunteer. They include the Hoke County Community Foundation, Hoke County Partners in Education, Carolina Horse Park, Liberty Hospice, UNC Pembroke, Methodist University, Fayetteville-Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce and other economic development groups, the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival, Boys & Girls Club of America, Association of the U.S. Army, Cape Fear Botanical Garden, Olde Fayetteville Association and the Women's Forum of N.C. Jean played a role in launching the N.C. Turkey Festival, and her tenure as a director and past president of the Festival organization spanned 30 years. She was a member and active supporter of Raeford Presbyterian Church.
On the civic front, Jean served as a Hoke County Commissioner and a North Carolina delegate to the Governor's Conference for Small Business and the White House Conference for Small Business. She also ran for the State Senate. Cumberland County honored Jean with the Civic Leader Marquee Award, and she received a Certificate of Appreciation from the City of Raeford, as well as Citizen of the Year awards from the Hoke County Chamber of Commerce and the Raeford Kiwanis Club.
Jean's resolve and commitment to succeed in every endeavor she undertook was evident early on. At age 12, polio left her with paralysis in her leg. Determined to recover, she focused on tennis and became runner-up to the Texas state champion. Jean loved to dance, played a mean game of bridge and piloted planes. She will be fondly remembered for her sharp mind, her keen sense of humor, her love of life, and the sage, candid and warm-hearted advice she imparted as a counselor to family and friends.
Jean Hodges is survived by her husband, Spencer T. Wilking; six children, Michael Hicks and Alexis Latham, both of Fischer, Texas, Anna Hodges Smith and her husband, Chuck, of Fayetteville, Janet Rae Hodges of Belews Creek, N.C., Dellus Hodges and his wife, Gwen, and Benton Hodges of Raleigh; ten grandchildren and six great grandchildren; sister Robin Anselmini and her husband, Frank, of Raeford; and numerous nieces and nephews. A brother, Virgil Hardin, and sisters, Dorothy Lohmer and Jo Hunke, preceded Jean in death.
Visitation will take place on Wednesday, August 26, from 7-9 p.m. at Crumpler Funeral Home in Raeford. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, August 27, at Raeford Presbyterian Church, followed by a reception at the John C. Ropp Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Hoke County Community Foundation or Hoke County Partners for Education.
Born Billie Jean Hardin, in Waco, Texas, she was one of five children of Ben and Sue Hardin. Jean went on to earn a B.A. degree from Texas Christian University and an M.B.A. from the University of Mexico.
In 1974, Jean chose Raeford as her family's home. Realizing there was need for such services in the area, she founded the Fayetteville-based marketing, advertising and public relations agency, Hodges Associates. She remained until her death as CEO and a valuable advisor to the business she pioneered. Along the way, she inspired and mentored many people pursuing careers in her beloved profession. Under Jean's leadership, Hodges Associates earned numerous awards for creative achievement and business excellence.
Jean was honored personally with the first ATHENA Leadership Award given in the Fayetteville area. This national award recognizes recipients for their outstanding work that benefits professional women. She was also named Outstanding Woman Entrepreneur from Methodist College (now Methodist University). Among the elite group of industry professionals inducted into the North Carolina Advertising Hall of Fame, Jean also earned the Silver Medal and the Legion of Excellence Award from the American Advertising Federation (AAF). She founded the Fayetteville area chapter of this organization and served the AAF in several local, regional and national leadership positions.
Community service was an important part of Jean Hodge's life. For her, giving back meant supporting organizations and causes she truly believed in and making a wholehearted commitment to each and every role she took on. Numerous area organizations benefited from Jean's contributions as a director, board/committee member or volunteer. They include the Hoke County Community Foundation, Hoke County Partners in Education, Carolina Horse Park, Liberty Hospice, UNC Pembroke, Methodist University, Fayetteville-Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce and other economic development groups, the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival, Boys & Girls Club of America, Association of the U.S. Army, Cape Fear Botanical Garden, Olde Fayetteville Association and the Women's Forum of N.C. Jean played a role in launching the N.C. Turkey Festival, and her tenure as a director and past president of the Festival organization spanned 30 years. She was a member and active supporter of Raeford Presbyterian Church.
On the civic front, Jean served as a Hoke County Commissioner and a North Carolina delegate to the Governor's Conference for Small Business and the White House Conference for Small Business. She also ran for the State Senate. Cumberland County honored Jean with the Civic Leader Marquee Award, and she received a Certificate of Appreciation from the City of Raeford, as well as Citizen of the Year awards from the Hoke County Chamber of Commerce and the Raeford Kiwanis Club.
Jean's resolve and commitment to succeed in every endeavor she undertook was evident early on. At age 12, polio left her with paralysis in her leg. Determined to recover, she focused on tennis and became runner-up to the Texas state champion. Jean loved to dance, played a mean game of bridge and piloted planes. She will be fondly remembered for her sharp mind, her keen sense of humor, her love of life, and the sage, candid and warm-hearted advice she imparted as a counselor to family and friends.
Jean Hodges is survived by her husband, Spencer T. Wilking; six children, Michael Hicks and Alexis Latham, both of Fischer, Texas, Anna Hodges Smith and her husband, Chuck, of Fayetteville, Janet Rae Hodges of Belews Creek, N.C., Dellus Hodges and his wife, Gwen, and Benton Hodges of Raleigh; ten grandchildren and six great grandchildren; sister Robin Anselmini and her husband, Frank, of Raeford; and numerous nieces and nephews. A brother, Virgil Hardin, and sisters, Dorothy Lohmer and Jo Hunke, preceded Jean in death.
Visitation will take place on Wednesday, August 26, from 7-9 p.m. at Crumpler Funeral Home in Raeford. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, August 27, at Raeford Presbyterian Church, followed by a reception at the John C. Ropp Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Hoke County Community Foundation or Hoke County Partners for Education.