Ann Jones Hodge, was the child of Welsh immigrants. Her father fought for his adopted country during World War II and eventually came to Tullahoma to command the Air Force base at Northern Field. Like many military children, Ann lived in many places as a child, including Milwaukee where she was born and Wales, which she always recognized as her heritage.
Although she lived most of her life in Tullahoma, she was a witness to some of the most dramatic events of the last century. As a child, German POW’s were held at nearby Camp Forrest and some were assigned to her mother’s house as caretakers. It put a human face on our enemies and on the country that caused such devastation. In her life, Ann followed the news and politics closely, in a way that often made people uncomfortable. She never forgot the fact that people are easily misled by leaders that manipulate with rhetoric and partial truth.
Later as an adult, she worked at Arnold Air Force Base, which was center stage to the race into space. She met many people who were part of these world events, some well-known such as Harry Truman, and many that contributed in crucial, but unsung ways.
Ann was a graduate of St. Thomas School of Nursing in Nashville, Tennessee. She was smart and outgoing. Most of her career was spent directing care at the places where she worked. She was Director of Nursing at Queen City Infirmary, Clinical Director at the Tennessee Vocational School for Girls, Director of Nursing at Life Care Center, and finally, Supervisor of the Medical Dispensary at Arnold Center where she worked for 25 years until she retired.
She passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 6th, 2015 at NHC in Tullahoma after a brief illness.
Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Wendell Hodge; her parents, Colonel Richard L. and Sarah Jones; and two brothers, Idris and Richard.
She is survived by her two children, Terri Hodge Rowe (Russell) and Dr. James Hodge; five grandchildren, Josh Rowe, Dr. Jared Rowe (JoAnna), Jessie Buckelew (Kellay), Rachel Hodge, and Catherine Hodge; and three great-grandchildren, Jadon Shaunessy, Elliot Rowe, and Ethan Rowe.
She and her husband Wendell were longtime members of the First Presbyterian Church, where they both served vital roles over the years.
Ann belonged to a generation that believed in hard work and accepting responsibility. She and her late husband Wendell chose to build their lives and raise a family in Tullahoma. They were generous in giving back to their community, and they never asked or accepted anything from anyone.
Years ago when Ann was pregnant, she worked at Queen City Infirmary. She went into labor there and her daughter Terri was delivered by the doctor Ann worked for, Dr. James King. She would laugh about waking up from sedation in the hospital where the first thing she saw was an angel and a devil at the foot of her bed. It turns out that it was Halloween and the doctor had stopped by to check on her with his two children from trick or treating, still in costume.
It’s a metaphor for the way Ann lived her life, normal but never ordinary. That’s one thing she passed along to her children and their children.
There will be a memorial service on Saturday, September 19th, 2015 at 11:00 am at the First Presbyterian Church in Tullahoma. The family will host a luncheon after the service in the Fellowship Hall for friends to visit and reminisce.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Tullahoma, 204 East Grundy Street, Tullahoma, Tennessee 37388.
Kilgore Funeral Home in charge of arrangements
Mr. Robert Goodloe McLaughlin, age 65 of Manchester, Tennessee passed from this life on Tuesday, September 8, 2015 surrounded by his loving family. Mr. McLaughlin was preceded in death by his parents, Grover Cleveland and Thelma Joshua Roberts McLaughlin, and one daughter, Michelle Lee McLaughlin.
