Mary Hodge

(From Meadors Funeral Home)

Mary Elizabeth Severn Hodge 83, of Springfield passed from this life Saturday May 15 in her home.

Mary was born May 12, 1938 in Baltimore County, Maryland to Edwin and Susan Boggs Severn.

She was married to Rev. Rex Hodge on July 3, 1959.

She graduated from in Catonsville Senior High, MD and received her undergraduate degree from National College in Kansas City, Mo, and her Master’s in Education from Drury College 1971 with a lifetime teaching certificate for K-12. Mary taught at East Newton, Berry Elementary, Boyd Elementary, and Watkins Elementary, retiring in 1999 after 34 years of teaching.

Mary was a member of the International Reading Association, and Missouri State Teachers Association, and held leadership roles in the Springfield Education Association, Missouri Retired Teachers Association and United Methodist Women at local and district levels. She was a cancer survivor and a major fundraiser for Relay for Life and a member for the Retired Pastors Group. She corresponded with members of the various groups in which she was involved.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Rex of 57 years, two brothers Edwin Franklin Severn Jr, and Albert Elwood Severn.

She is survived by her son Robert and wife Susan of Galena, and her daughter Rachel Hodge of Springfield, and her two sisters-in-law, Patty Jo Severn and Jan Severn; brother-in-law, Dr. Donald Ray Hodge and sister-in-law Sue and her husband Don Groves.

Services will be held on Monday May 24th, 2021 at Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church 1001 North National Ave, Springfield. Visitation starts at 4:30-5:30 pm followed by Mary’s Celebration Service at 5:30 pm with Pastor Angel Garcia officiating. Burial will be Tuesday May 25, 10 am at Brookline Cemetery in Republic.

Memorial contributions may be made to Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church.