Linda Jeanne Hodges

 

Linda Jeanne was born on August 24, 1940.  She was the eldest of three girls born to Paul and Mary Emily Stokes in Springfield Missouri.  Paula (King) followed in 1942 and Cindy (Slentz) rounded out the family of five in 1953.  Paul, Mary Emily, and Paula “Mikey” preceded Linda in death.  Cindy survives her big sisters and lives with her husband Bob Slentz in Republic MO.  Linda always had great affection for the Springfield area and her extended family there.

Linda met Gilbert Hodges when they were both working at Leroy’s Drive Inn in Springfield MO.  They married in 1957.  They began their family with the arrival of their first daughter, Pamela in 1958.  Over the next 16 years they would add 5 more children to the bunch: Stephen, Julie, Jennifer, Kimberly, and Scott.  The Hodges Family moved around quite a bit in those early years.  In the mid 1970’s they settled in Virginia Illinois, moving into the big white house on Beardstown Street.  She and Gilbert Hodges took over “Rossi’s” restaurant on Virginia’s square.  They renamed it “The Virginia Inn”.  Linda ran the Front of House, handled personnel matters, did the bookkeeping among other titles, and proved herself to be a great manager of people.  The entire family pitched in working at the Virginia Inn. 

Over time, things changed as they always do and the partnership with Gilbert and the Virginia Inn ended in the 1980’s.  Linda then got started on an impressive second act.  She started working at Cass Telephone.  It was an administrative position to start, but her role grew as the company grew.  Linda would become an integral part of the operations of Cass Communications.  Her managerial skills, work ethic, effective communication, and her care for those she worked with made her a valued asset for the expanding company.  She retired in 2005. 

At every step in her journey, Linda Jeanne was always involved in her community, church, and the lives of those around her.  In Virginia she was a great supporter of the community: ready to pitch in with local events, fundraising and celebrations.  Linda even contributed to the local Gazette.  She had a passion for supporting woman in whatever capacity she could.  It might be a women’s Bible study or a community group.  But more often than not, it was a quiet private support of someone who needed a little help, whatever that might be.  She had an open heart for those who were struggling and always felt compelled to act.  Linda was a rock for her family, for her community and for many, many others. 

In her second act she also met her great love, Charles “Bud” Hoppin.  Bud and Linda traveled extensively, enjoyed live music, annual trips to “West Consin” and settled in at the Hoppin Farm outside of Virginia.  They were married in 1998.  She loved Bud’s kids: Sue, Pat and Betsy and cherished time with all the extended family.  Bud passed away in 2010.

Linda Jeanne gained children along the way and loved her “In Laws” just as much as her own.  Pamela married Gary Wright in 2007, and sadly he passed in 2012.  Stephen and Rhonda Hodges have been married for over 40 years. Julie and Gary Lemberg for 20 years.  Jenny Hodges will soon wed Steve Sommers.  Kim has been married to Michael Suchanek for 26 years. Scott and Celeste Hodges for 25 years.

Linda loved to spoil her 14 Grandchildren and 11 Great-Grandchildren.  In her retirement she enjoyed many travels to NYC, MN, FL, STL & Springfield, MO to be with her loved ones.  In her last few years, she lived in Springfield IL to be near her eldest daughter and devoted caregiver, Pamela Wright.

We thank the loving staff and friends at Reflections in Chatham IL, who took wonderful care of her.  Linda Jeanne Hoppin will be remembered as a wise counselor, patient mentor, savvy businessperson, enthusiastic cheerleader, excellent cook and knitter, a community advocate, fierce competitor in cards and dominoes, and a faithful wife.  Her children are in awe of the endless love and support that she provided.  We are all grateful for wonderful memories with “Grandma Linny”, who was loved “a bushel and a peck” by her many friends, nieces, nephews, children and grandchildren.