Jong Hodges

Jong Hi Park Hodges (Meida), 86, of Christiansburg, and formerly of Woodbridge, VA, passed away on Sunday, March 30, 2014 at Duke University Hospital in North Carolina.

She was born in Korea in 1927. She was an exceptionally strong person, having survived Japanese occupation of Korea, the loss of multiple family members including her father and siblings, and the events leading up to the United States involvement in the Korean War. It was then that she met a young soldier, who would eventually become her husband of over 51 years. She was a proud American, working hard to blaze her path to citizenship, as well as supporting her husband, Ronnie Hodges, during his 27 years in the US Army. He preceded her just a short five months ago. She is survived by her two loving and devoted sons, Reginald Hodges, and his wife Katherine Gillis both of Durham, NC, and Robert Hodges and his wife Dana Hodges; and her angels, her four granddaughters: Sarah Hodges, Kelly Hodges, Amy Hodges, and Rachel Hodges, all of Christiansburg. She is additionally survived by her brother, Rev. and Mrs. Lee Park of Seoul, South Korea; sisters-in-law, Frances Hodges Tigmo Costa of Chesapeake, VA and Elaine Hodges Craig of Kernersville, NC, Jayne Hodges, and Janet Hodges, both of California; and brother-in-law, Louis Dunn of Virginia Beach. She was blessed and survived by multiple nieces and nephews, whom she loved like her own children, and neighbors and friends that are spread around the world.

Mom, Grandma, Aunt Meida… no matter what you called her, she was truly a rare gem and we were all made better just by knowing her and being loved by her. She had a strong faith in God and will survive in our hearts forever as she spends eternity in Heaven.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, April 2, 2014, from 6-8 p.m. at Horne Funeral Home. The Graveside Service will be held on Thursday, April 3, 2014, at 10 a.m. at the Southwest Virginia Veterans’ Cemetery, Dublin.