Mary Lou Hodges

Ava, Missouri

Mary Lou Hodges, 73 years, 2 months, 13 days old, passed away on September 12, 2017 at Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare with her loving family by her side.

Mary Lou was born June 30, 1944 in Squires, Missouri to Homer and Mary Elva "Sis" (Spurlock) Turner.

She graduated from Ava High School in 1962 and then went on to the School of the Ozarks where she graduated with a B.S. Degree in Elementary Ed. She worked at the forestry dept. in Ava and began her teaching career in Plainview, where she met Billy Hodges. They were married May 20, 1967 after school let out. They both later accepted teaching positions at Hollister Elem. School. Mary Lou taught there for 25 years until her retirement.

Mary Lou gave her heart to Jesus Christ at Frye Church as a teenager. And after marriage she attended Sandy General Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday School, served as church secretary and was a wonderful cook for any occasion. Billy and Mary Lou bought a farm next to his parents in 1970 and raised beef cattle. Mary Lou worked hard on the farm from sunup to sundown.

To this union two children were born, LeaAnn and Martin. Mary Lou hosted many bluegrass parties in her home for anyone who wanted to come as her children played the banjo and fiddle.

After a long, hard fought battle with cancer, heart attack and stroke, she went to be with Jesus and her family and friends.

Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Don & Eddie Turner, one great grandchild, Eden Templeton, and niece, Jill Adamson.

Mary Lou is survived by the love of her life, Billy, two children and their spouses, LeaAnn & Neal Crum, Ava, MO and Martin & Amy Hodges, Nixa, MO, four grandchildren and their spouses, Ashton & Sean Templeton, Dylan Crum, Erin Crum, and Ryann Hodges, four sisters, Charlene Tellor, Peoria, IL, Annette Clayton, Squires, MO, Josie Adamson, Mansfield, MO, and Sandra Clopper, Farmington, MO, many nieces, nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends. She was loved by all who knew her and will be missed greatly.

Funeral services for Mary Lou will be Sat. Sept. 16, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at the Sandy General Baptist Church with burial following in the Fannon Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday, Sept. 16 ^th from Noon to service time in the church. Officiating will be Pastor Neal Crum and Rev. Frances Humbyrd. Memorials may be made to Sandy General Baptist Church Building Fund or Gideon's.