Annie Ruth Gray Hodge - Annie was born on July 29, 1943 in Prentiss, Mississippi to her parents, Willie Lewis and Gussie Mae Gray. The family later relocated to Simpson County and quickly became a staple in the community. Annie attended Harper High where she excelled academically and participated in cheerleading. While assisting in caring for her nine siblings, Annie along with her mother Gussie, were known for being chemists in the kitchen. From cakes, pies, chicken, cornbread or her home made biscuits, you name it she could do it and do it with a spirit of love and giving. Annie later met and married James "JB" Hodge and from their union six children were conceived - Melissa Hodge, Morton, Mississippi, Jansen Hodge (deceased), Melanie Hodge-Rhodes, D'Lo, Mississippi (married to Dennis Rhodes), Michelle Hodge, D'Lo, Mississippi, James "JB" Hodge, Jr. (married to Victoria Jackson-Hodge), Morton, Mississippi and Jeremy "Chico" Hodge, Montgomery, Alabama; as well as a daughter in love, Erica Griffin, D'Lo, Mississippi.

In Annie's leisure time, her hobbies included reading, baking, spending time with her grand and great grandchildren, caring for others, serving the Lord and last but definitely not least, watching westerns. Gunsmoke was her favorite. She also enjoyed listening to classical music and opera. Her personal favorite was "The Three Tenors," a popular operatic group, which included her all-time favorite, Luciano Pavarotti.

Annie is survived by her husband, Rev. James "JB" Hodge, five of her six children, one daughter in love; 12 grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; two god grandchildren; three sisters: Frances Nell Lindsey (Lovell), Mary Parker and Diane Darby; four brothers: Jerry Gray (Judy), Curtis Gray, Stanley Gray and Rev. Jeffery Gray (Yvette); sisters-in-law: Teresia Gray, Rosaline Gray, Almeta Roberts (widow of the late Nathaniel Roberts), Jessie May, and Wanda Roberts Johnson; brothers-in-law: Dan Parker, Jerome Gray, Charles Darby, Bennie Roberts (Vivian), Otis Roberts (Glenda), and Samuel Roberts; and a host of relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents W.L. and Gussie Gray; two brothers: W.L. "Patty" Gray, Jr. and Jimmie "Bud" Gray; one son, Jansen Hodge; one great granddaughter, Shavareia Hodge; and one nephew, Anthony J. Carson.