Ernie Joe Hodges, 85, of Eula died Sunday, January 30, 2022, in an Abilene hospital. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, February 7, 2022, at Potosi Cemetery with Pastor Jim Renfro officiating under the direction of Bailey Howard Funeral Home of Clyde.

Ernie was born July 17, 1936, in Jayton, Texas to Woodrow and Opal (McKenzie) Hodges. He graduated from Girard High School. He married the love of his life and high school sweetheart, Charlotte Hollingshead, in Las Cruces, New Mexico on May 31, 1955. A love so true, so strong is one in a million, yet we got to see it front and center our whole lives and that is a blessing in its own. You always hear the bible verse, 1 Corinthians 13:4-5, but to actually see it is breathtaking. Our dad was the prime example of how a man should love a woman.

Ernie was a farmer and also worked for McIntyre Auto Service for 30 years. He was a member of the Eula Baptist Church. He loved farm auctions and was a member of Young Farmers of America and also loved to play dominoes.

He is survived by two daughters, Teresa Hobgood and husband Tim of Eula and Karen Graves and husband Steve of Odessa; eight grandchildren, Jennifer Goubeaux and husband Ron of Warrensburg, Missouri, Michael and Angel Graves of Odessa, Brandie Bingham and husband Andy of Odessa, Michelle Bourland of Abilene, Courtney DeCair and husband J.J. of Odessa, Cassie Culberson of Brock, Thomas Graves of Odessa, Josh Hobgood and wife Kelly of Eula, Christi Felix of Eula and Travis Hobgood of Cross Plains; 17 great grandchildren, Taylie and Kamdyn Jones, Leightyn and Emerlee Bingham, Rheana and Zachary Goubeaux, Cayti, Trint and Tevin Culberson, Preston and Payden Mills, Karlie Harvel, Lexi DeCair, Ciara Richardson and Alexander Felix, Jayton and Jaycie Hobgood, Brooklyn, Ashlea, Haylea and Kryslyn Graves.

Ernie was preceded in death by his wife, Charlotte; his parents, Woodrow and Opal Hodges and his brother, Roy Hodges