Martha Hodges Lewis

 Martha Rosena Hodges Lewis was born on March 24, 1937, in Greenwood, Mississippi. She was the 3rd of 5 children born to the late Martha Mae and Samuel Bluett Hodges. Martha (85) peacefully transitioned into eternal rest on Wednesday, October12, 2022 at Swift Creek Health Center, Cary NC from complications related to myelofibrosis. At an early age she accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior and was member of McKinley Methodist Church, Dayton, Ohio. She joined St. Paul AME Church in Raleigh, NC after moving to NC with her family. She thoroughly enjoyed worshipping and attending church regularly until her health began to decline.

About Mom:

Martha met Richard, her husband of 59 years, while attending Roosevelt High School, in Dayton, Ohio. Their union was blessed with 4 daughters, Rhea, Rikki, Rana & Robyn. They lived in several locations over their 59 years together: Dayton, OH; Columbus, OH; Poughkeepsie, NY; Littleton, CO and finally settled in Cary, NC.

She was a loving, devoted wife, mother and grandmotheraffectionately known as “MawMaw” or “Dede”. She was pivotal in the lives of her grandchildren. Mom was a creative spirit, who was a maker of traditions and celebrater of your accomplishments big and small. Mom’s hobbies included art, Thai chi and genealogy. If you truly knew our mother, you knew she was not only creative but also had that Hodges silly/jokey sense of humor. Right up to the end she had special ways of teasing and joking with each of us.

Education was an important thread woven throughout her life.After graduating from Roosevelt High school in Dayton, Ohioshe studied fashion illustration at the Dayton Art Institute with desire of becoming a dress designer or fashion illustrator. She transferred to Michigan State University, the following year, continuing to study fashion. Mom ultimately received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Shaw University. Mom’s career in education began as a Special Education Teacher in the Dayton Public School system. A focus on children’s education remained a theme throughout her career, transitioning from public school to early childhood education.

Martha is preceded in death by her mother Martha Mae Hodges, father Samuel Bluett Hodges and brother Walter Robin “Beezie”Hodges. She will forever be missed, loved and cherished by her husband Richard, daughters Rhea, Rikki, Rana (William) and Robyn, grandchildren Nia, Melena, Trey and William, siblings Sam (Yvonne), Lena, Byron and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other extended relatives and friends.

Acknowledgements:

The family of the late Martha Rosena Hodges Lewis, wishes to express heartfelt gratitude and deep appreciation for the many expressions of love and kindness extended during Martha’s illness and their time of bereavement. Please continue to remember us in your prayers. May God bless each and every one of you.

To honor our mother’s commitment to educating children, in lieu of flowers, we ask that you consider a donation in honor of Martha Lewis to The Children’s Literacy Initiative (www.cli.org)

She is survived by her husband Richard Lewis of the home; daughters Rhea Franks of Durham, NC, Rikki Lewis of Apex, NC, Rana Fleming of Wake Forest, NC, and Robyn Lewis of Cary, NC; bother Sam Hodges, Jr. of Dayton, OH; sister Lena Strange of Dayton, OH; brother Byron Hodges of Irvine, CA.

Funeral service at 12:00 noon October 22, 2022 at St. Paul AME Church, 402 W. Edenton Street Raleigh, NC preceded by an 11:00 AM visitation.  Interment will follow at Wake Memorial Park, 7002 Green Hope School Road, Cary, NC.  Viewing from 2:00 - 4:00 PM Friday October 21, 2022 at Haywood Funeral Home.

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