Wilma Hodge

Wilma D. (Chambers) Hodge, 72, of Monrovia, was called home to heaven at 8:30 a.m., on Tuesday, March 20, 2018, surrounded by her loving family from the comfort of her home in Wilbur. She was born on January 1, 1946, in Indianapolis, to the late Paul and Daisy (Davis) Chambers. The eldest child with three siblings, Wilma’s family moved from Indianapolis when she was twelve years old and purchased farm land by Patton Lake in Morgan County. She graduated from Monrovia High School in 1964 and started working in assembly at Diamond Chain, where she was introduced to a co-worker, Gerald “Jerry” Hodge; to whom she happily married on September 4, 1965 and together they were blessed with three children, David, Susan and Aimee. A beautiful, compassionate and loving nurturer, Wilma lived a full and happy life. She loved the outdoors and found great joy in being outside on the property; gardening, fishing and playing in the creek, camping, hiking, taking bicycle and motorcycle rides, ginseng and mushroom hunting, flying kites, and playing with grandkids around the farm. A talented cook and seamstress, she worked as the head baker in the Monroe-Gregg School Cafeteria from 1983 – 1996. Finding a career to cherish, Wilma began substituting for bus drivers at Monrovia and then Martinsville. Pleased with the Martinsville school system, she accepted a fulltime position and proudly drove bus #23, where she selflessly retired in 2015. In addition, Wilma was a member of the Mt. Olive County Chapel on Wilbur Road. An active, attentive and alert woman, her world revolved around her family. Wilma was more than a mother and grandma, she was a mentor, a monitor, a confidant and an all around fun person to be around. Always up for an adventure, she was an active listener and the family rock. A courageous, strong and loyal leader, she possessed a positive and compassionate demeanor. Wilma not only mentored and monitored children, she guided them with love and set limits; instilling morals, building their character and establishing the difference between work and play. A beautiful woman with a heart of gold, she left many memories with loved ones and will be deeply missed by many. Survivors include the love of her life and husband of nearly 53 years, Gerald “Jerry” Hodge of Monrovia; children; David Hodge (wife, Misty) of Monrovia; Susan Mattingly (husband, Chuck) of Owensboro, Kentucky; Aimee Wyeth (husband, Jim) of Terre Haute; grandchildren, Kelsey, Autumn, Emily and Owen, Tiffany, Brandy, Ashley and Katie, Dusty and Bella; great grandsons, Brayden and Owen; twin siblings, Paul Chambers, Jr. (wife, Cindy) and Pauline Chambers and youngest sister, Irma Shahan all of Bloomington; sisters-in-laws, Wilma Jean Chambers of Bloomington and Zola Hodge of Lancaster, Pennsylvania; brother-in-law, Charles Hodge (wife, Birdie) of Pineville, Kentucky; nephews, Tom and Tim Ward, Paul Chambers III, and Brent Hodge; nieces, Lori Nicholson and Lisa Sawdy; gardening friends and special cousins, Frank and Joyce, along with several other cherished friends and extended family members. Friends and family may visit from 5 to 8 p.m., on Friday, March 23, 2018, in Light Memorial & Funeral Chapel in Monrovia. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:00 p.m., on Saturday, March 24, 2018, at the funeral home. Pastor Brian Fleener will officiate services and burial will take place in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Hall. In addition to sending flowers, envelopes will be provided by the funeral home with memorial contributions made to the IU Health Cancer Center in Martinsville. To share a favorite story or picture of Wilma, send an online condolence to the family, light a candle in her memory or order flowers for the services visit www.lightmemorial.com

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Wilma Hodge

January 1, 1946 - March 20, 2018