Merle Leonard Hodges

Merle Leonard Hodges, 80, of Twin Acres Drive in Lexington, died Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, at the Hinkle Hospice House in Lexington.

The family will see friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15, 2023, at Davidson Funeral Home, Lexington Chapel.

A private committal service will be held at a later date at the columbarium of First Reformed United Church of Christ in Lexington, which was founded by her grandfather, Dr. Jacob Calvin Leonard Sr., and where she was a lifetime member.

Merle was born Dec. 14, 1943, in Lexington to Dr. Jacob Calvin Leonard Jr. and  Mary Louise Moffitt Leonard. An active member of First Reformed UCC, she served on the vestry for many years, was an elder emeritus and served as the church historian. She was also a longtime member of the Charity League of Lexington.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Jim Earnhardt.

Surviving are her husband of 62 years, Jerry Lee Hodges of the home; her daughter, Leigh Hodges Earnhardt of Rockwell; her sister, Rhonwen Leonard Newton of Columbia, S.C.; two brothers and sisters in law, Mike Hodges (Chris) and Steve Hodges (Vikki), all of Lexington; two nieces, Blair Jones (Gordon) of Clinton, N.Y., and Allison Satchell of Easton, Md.; three nephews, Dr. Willoughby Brockenbrough Newton III (Rhett) of Winston-Salem, and Chad Hodges (Mia) and Bryan Hodges (Rachele), all of Lexington; and a host of great-nieces and great-nephews.

Also surviving are her four “other daughters,” Kier Peterson (Justin), Lauren Gagliardino (Billy), Jesse Mraz (Luke) and Samantha Hegseth.

A special thanks to her caregiver, Patricia Sheffield.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Reformed United Church of Christ, 104 E. Center St., Lexington, NC 27292; Hospice of Davidson County, 200 Hospice Way, Lexington, NC 27292; and Davidson Medical Ministries, 420 S. Salisbury St., Lexington, NC 27292.