Obituary of Ralph Hodge

Dr. Ralph Wayne Hodge left this life on Saturday, December 9, 2023. He was born in Baltimore MD on October 26, 1943 to the late Virginia Wells Hodge and Don Calvin Hodge and was raised in Corbin KY. He played football for Corbin High School and immediately upon graduation enlisted in the United States Army and served in the 82^nd Airborne Division. He then graduated from The University of the Cumberlands followed by Southern Theological Seminary in Louisville KY. He then received his Doctor of Ministries from Luther Rice Seminary in Jacksonville FL.

               Ralph Hodge pastored several churches, spending many of those years in Louisville before moving to Tennessee as pastor and then at Lifeway Christian Resources where he held several positions including director of ministerial support, and editor, and a writer.

               At 16 years old, he met Delores June Jones at a dance and she quickly became the love of his life. They married in 1963 in her parents’ home in London KY where her grandfather, the Reverend Killus Jones officiated.

               Dr. Hodge led a life of service to people and the Lord Jesus Christ. His heart was solidly with helping people through painful times, relating the fact that there is hope where it doesn’t seem so, and relaying strength and love. He was a scholar, a faithful Christian, devoured several books a week, appreciated great writing and poetry, loved Willie Nelson and Rickie Skaggs, and loved his family.

               Ralph leaves behind his beloved wife, June, a daughter and her husband, Christy and John Blackwell, his three grandchildren, Luke (Maggie) Blackwell, Madison (Jarod) Dotson, and Samuel Blackwell, great-grandchildren Hazel June Blackwell, Isla Pax Dotson, Cleo Marie Blackwell, Margot Ryan Dotson, his two brothers Ron (Barbara) Hodge and Don Hodge, several nieces and a nephew, and family and friends who will miss him greatly.

               The Memorial Service is 6 p.m. Wednesday, December 13, 2022 in the chapel of Sellars Funeral Home, Lebanon TN. The family will be receiving friends at the funeral home on Wednesday from 5 p.m. until the service at 6 p.m.

                In lieu of flowers, please make Memorial Donations to the Immanual Baptist Church Building Fund.

               Arrangements by Sellars Funeral Home, Lebanon TN, 615.444.9393.