[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 56 (Thursday, March 27, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E259-E260]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    REMEMBERING MR. ROY FAGAN HODGES

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TRENT KELLY

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 27, 2025

  Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I stand today to remember Roy 
Fagan Hodges, who passed away peacefully on Friday, March 21, 2025, at 
Tippah County Hospital in Ripley, Mississippi.
  Roy Fagan Hodges was born on November 9, 1924, in Dumas, Mississippi, 
to Lee and Inez Cappleman Hodges. He attended school in Wheeler and 
Baldwyn.
  During World War II, Roy served in the United States Army Air Force 
as a tail gunner on a B-24 Liberator with the Eighth Air Force. From 
1944 to 1945, he flew 33 combat missions over Nazi-occupied Europe. His 
deep faith in God sustained him through the war, and upon returning 
home, he married Eugenia Faye ``Jean'' Storey Hodges in 1946. Together, 
they raised two daughters and a son, sharing 65 years of marriage.
  Roy was a devoted member of Dumas Baptist Church, where he faithfully 
served as a deacon. Beyond his church involvement, he made significant 
contributions to Tippah County communities in various capacities. He 
served as Fire Chief of the Dumas Fire Department and as an Alderman. 
Roy was instrumental in establishing, upgrading, and improving the fire 
departments and rural water systems county wide. He was also a proud 
member of the Southeast Tippah Lions Club and the American Legion.
  After 34 years of service with the Mississippi Forestry Commission, 
Roy retired in 1986. Even in retirement, his dedication to Tippah 
County continued as he served as Election Commissioner and Fire 
Coordinator. He also enjoyed raising cattle and gardening.
  Roy is survived by his daughters Phyllis Hill (Wayne) of Tiplersville 
and Pat Rowland (Charlie) of Booneville; his son Danny Roy Hodges 
(Janet) of Baldwyn; and eight grandchildren: Suzanne Shoup (Bryan) of 
Ripley, Barry Rowland (Michelle) of Amory, Christy Cagle (John) of 
Booneville, Brande Shackelford (Kevin) of Ripley, Allison Wood (Thomas) 
of Mantachie, Amy Smith (Shane) of Byhalia, Sam Hodges of Nashville, 
Tennessee, and Seth Hodges of Dumas. He also leaves behind twelve 
great-grandchildren: Trevor Shoup, Thomas Shoup (Olivia), Blake 
Rowland, Brayden Rowland, Ross Shackelford, Reed Shackelford, Ella 
Reese Shackelford, Clayton Wood (Anna Reed), Brooke Wood, Carly Wood, 
Leah Smith, and Taylor Smith; two great-great-grandchildren, Easton 
Wood and Olivia Wood; and his brother, Ben Hodges of Texas, a fellow 
World War II veteran who is 102 years old. He is also survived by 
several nieces and nephews.
  Additionally, Roy is survived by his wife of 10 years, Rachel Hodges 
of Ripley, and her children, Glen Michael (Lori), Franke Michael, and 
Penny Michael. He is also lovingly remembered by her nine 
grandchildren, Laken Green (Jake), Jonah Rinehart (Marleigh), Sarah Ann 
Michael, Mattie Bailey (Hunter), Cooper Rinehart, and Olivia Michael, 
as well as her five great-grandchildren.

[[Page E260]]

  

                          ____________________