February 12, 2023
Kathleen Ann McCarthy Hodges, 85, of Ashland, passed away Wednesday, February 8, 2023 while at home, lovingly surrounded by family of both blood and love.
Kathleen was born February 24, 1937 in Lynch, Harlan County, Kentucky, a daughter of the late John and Susie Drobnak McCarthy.
She was a graduate of Lynch High School, Class of 1955. Later that same year a marriage with super-stud sailor, James, ensued and the couple relocated to Green Cove Springs, Florida where they started their family.
After James discharged from the Navy they moved to Baltimore, Maryland and subsequently to Columbia, South Carolina for several years prior to settling in Ashland, where she became mother to her own seven children and to those “chosen” of love.
She did all she could for whomever she could, including babysitting everyone in the neighborhood, volunteering at school, allowing a rock band and their entourage to practice in her living room and practically raising an entire generation of sixties, seventies and even some from the eighties.
Once the youngest child started first grade she began her career as a credit counselor at the Ashland Credit Bureau until it was moved to West Virginia. She then worked an eight year stint at Kroger where she still got to see many of those faces she helped raise through the years.
After retiring she enjoyed spending time with family and friends, especially continuing the infamous “842 Christmas Gatherings”. If ya know, ya know!
She was preceded in death by her amazing husband of 40 years, James Alford Hodges, 3 sons, Charles Philip Hodges, Norman Dennis Hodges, and Thomas Allen Hodges, a grandson, Chadwick Scott Collier, 2 sisters and 2 brothers
Surviving are a son, James Brian Hodges (Virginia) of Travellers Rest, SC, 3 daughters Lisha Irene Pierce (David) of Flatwoods, Ky, Ann ReJene Seagraves of Ashland Ky and Kathryn Michelle Hodges of Wilmore, Ky. 16 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, many loving nieces and nephews and a multitude of chosen family “claimed buy love”.
Graveside services will be held February 18, 2023 at 1pm at Calvary Catholic Cemetery on Pollard Road in Ashland, officiated by Chaplain James Smedley and handled by Lazear Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, as the search for a cure for childhood cancer was something near and dear to Kathleen’s heart.
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