1933
2017
Ludline Hodges, nee Self, died at the age of 84 on December 28, 2017 at Isle at Watercrest Mansfield, the assisted living facility where she resided. Known as "Lu," she is survived by Bobby Hodges, her husband of almost 65 years; daughter Amy Hodges; daughter-in-law Diana Hodges and grandsons Alden and Hayden Hodges. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews and their children. She is preceded in death by her sons Darrell and Russell Hodges.
Lu was born in 1933 in Longview, TX to Mahala Self, nee McNeely, and named Ludline after her father, Lud L. Self. After her mother died when Lu was 6, her older sister Imogene and her husband, Cecil Carver, raised her and her sister Hortense, along with their five children, in Leesville, LA. At Leesville High School, she was a drum majorette, and learned to dance the hula for the school talent show from a pamphlet she ordered in the mail. She attended Draughons Business College in Abilene and became a secretary for the Abilene city engineer in 1952. When Bobby, then a University of Texas senior, interviewed for a job with the city engineer, it was Lu who came out to greet him. "She was just as pretty and nice as could be," Bobby said. He got the job, and started coming in early so that he could see her. Their first date was at a baseball game. "I liked everything about her," he said. "She just liked to do different things that were fun." Lu was 20 when they married in 1953, and Bobby was immediately inducted into the Air Force as a 2nd Lieutenant. The couple went to New York, Mississippi and Texas where Bobby graduated as an Air Force pilot. They were stationed in Japan for two years, and two of their children were born there. In 1957, Bobby began a 33 year career in the Texas Air National Guard which took them to Houston for 20 years and then Dallas for 13 years.
Lu was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. "She was a consummate hostess who took her role as an officer's wife seriously," her niece Frances Underwood said, and she often entertained other officers' wives at her home with exquisitely prepared coffees and luncheons. People loved to be around her and the lifelong friendships she made in Japan, Houston and Arlington were very dear to her. "Mom had the ability to make friends quickly and easily, no matter where we were," daughter Amy Hodges said. Lu was known for her refined tastes in clothes and home decor. She was an avid theater and museum goer with an insatiable curiosity about everything. It wasn't unusual for her to start a conversation with a question about an obscure historical fact she'd been wondering about. "Aunt Lu loved research," her niece Yvonne Hatton recalled. "One day I walked into her room at Watercrest and the first thing she said was, "What do you know about Hadrian's Wall?" We looked it up, and I read pages and pages to her about it. That was typical of her."
In 1977, the family moved to Pantego, TX, where Lu was actively involved in the Arlington Arts League and Arlington Woman's Club. She was a world traveler who loved to go on cruises with her family and friends. She and Bobby took bridge lessons and became master bridge players, competing in tournaments around the country. Lu loved poetry, was excellent at crossword puzzles and had an extraordinary recall. She was a generous and kind woman who didn't hesitate to help family and friends in times of need, said Frances. Although she had to give up playing bridge a few years ago as her eyesight dimmed, her quick wit and dry sense of humor remained intact. "I have this memory of us all sitting in the hallway as tornado sirens were going off, and Aunt Lu said "Anytime there is tornadic activity in the area, I need a sweet," Yvonne remembers. "So, we retrieved the M&Ms, put them in a bowl and ate them until the tornado passed." She had a remarkable inner strength that carried her through difficult times, including the death of her two sons and ongoing health challenges as she aged. "She had a will of steel," Yvonne said. "No matter how she felt, she rallied. I'd never seen anyone that strong."
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Sponsored by Moore Funeral Home.
December 25, 2018
am so sorry for your loss. Please take comfort in knowing that God cares for you and can give you hope. Jeremiah 29:11,12
January 20, 2018
Msgt Rodney Tanner
So very sorry for your loss. I've known Gen. Hodges since he was a 2 LT in Texas. I know you will miss Lu terribly, however you know you will find her again.
January 20, 2018
Ted and Lu Pullen
Lu was always such a sweet person and a Lady for sure. We know you will miss her greatly but the memories will always be there. God bless you and the family.
January 20, 2018
Jim Buchta
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
From all the Members of the "Ace-in-the-Hole Retiree Associatin"
January 19, 2018
Nancy Peterson
Booby, I am so sorry for your loss. Lu was a wonderful women. We miss you both at the Arlington Bridge Club. You are in my thoughts and prayers. God bless you all.
January 7, 2018
Chuck Beasley
Bobby, I am sorry to hear of your loss. I met you and your lovely wife at one of the TEXAN meetings. I was with the 182nd at Kelly. I went to Da Nang V.N. and I seem to recall you were at Bien Wa at the same time frame. We are all getting long on tooth but you were one of the good Cmdrs. God Bless. Chuck
January 4, 2018
May happy and cherished memories of your loved one and the drawing near to God in prayer comfort you in the days to come.
Kjohnson
January 4, 2018
Alta Dangel
Dear Bobby and Amy, Even tho it has been many years since I have seen you and Lu, know that you are thought of often. Lu was always so kind and sweet. Charles and I send our prayers and wish you peace and comfort. Love to you and your families. Charles and Alta Ruth (Hodges) Dangel
January 3, 2018
Mary Beth Colon
Dear Uncle Bobby and Amy,
We will always remember Aunt Lu as a woman of charming grace, quiet strength, and sincere warmth. Love and hugs to you and your family.
Mary Beth, Rafael, Daniel, and Elizabeth Colon
January 1, 2018
Dianne Turner
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
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