Billie Hodges Obituary

BILLIE JO HODGES

March 23, 1933 October 17, 2023

Billie Jo Hodges peacefully passed away at the age of 90. She was born in a little house in Pittsburg, Kansas to Howard Shields and Edna Milano. She had one younger sister, Maxine. In 1940, the family moved to Pittsburg, California where they were greeted by family members who had arrived there earlier. When WWII broke out, her parents and uncles worked in the shipyards. After the war, her family settled in Antioch, California. Billie was an excellent student, avid reader, and graduated from Pittsburg High School in 1950. After high school, she worked at her aunt's flower shop and a bank until she married. She eventually settled in Bakersfield. During this time she had five sons. She later married Alan Hodges, which added a daughter and three sons to the family.

The family attended Church of the Brethren, where Alan and Billie became very involved with the youth program. During the summers, they helped run the church's summer camp in the Greenhorn Mountains. They later established a summer camp for their grandchildren at their beach house in Cayucos, California. Camp Cayucos created many lasting and fond memories for their grandchildren.

Billie worked as a grocery checker, bookkeeper, and tax preparer. In 1972, Alan accepted the position as Assistant Manager, head tennis pro and owner of the Bakersfield Racquet Club pro shop. Billie was a surprise asset to the BRC when she took over management of the pro shop. She became a tennis apparel expert and elevated tennis fashion to a new level in Kern County. Her favorite motto was It's not whether you win or lose, it's how well you look while playing the game.

Billie's strong Christian faith guided and inspired her to serve others. She had a very giving spirit and love for everyone's life she touched.

She is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, Alan Hodges, her children, Doug Minton (Eva), Shelley Dunlap (Brian), Mitchell Minton (Evelyn), Kenny Minton (Shari), Matthew Minton, Keith Hodges (Sally) and Kelly Minton (Karrie). Alan Hodges, Jr. (deceased) and Bradley Hodges (deceased). Billie was Sweet Grandma Billie to her numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Siblings Maxine Smith, John Shields, and Susan Jenkins.

The family would like to give special thanks to Linda Duran and Getsemane Cruz for their exceptional caregiving of Billie.

Celebration of Life is scheduled for Saturday, October 28, 2023 at 11:00 am at Church of the Brethren, 327 A Street, Bakersfield, CA. Reception following.

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