Obituary of Barbara Ann Hodges

Barbara Ann (Gilstrap) Hodges of Bedford, Indiana died on February 9, 2025, at the age of 96. She was born September 17, 1928, to Lester and Grace (Mathis) Gilstrap. She was predeceased by her loving husband of 72 years, John Russell Hodges, infant daughter Beth Ann, and infant great-grandson Enoch Hodges. She is survived by her three adult children: Bill (Amy) of Lafayette, Karen (Kevin) Ohrenberger of Hillsborough, North Carolina, and Pamela (Brent) Crum of Avon. She is also survived by her devoted sister, Myra Lou Gilstrap, as well as eight grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. Barbara grew up in Tunnelton, graduated from high school there in 1947, and lived there until she was married at the age of 23. She had fond memories of her friends and school and remembered playing alongside the train tracks and around the infamous tunnel as a child. After high school, Barbara worked at Reliance Manufacturing Company/M. Fine & Sons (also known as ‘the shirt factory’) until around the time of her marriage in 1951. She made pockets for men’s pants at the factory and was paid by the piece. She often told of how she could make thirteen hours’ worth of pockets in eight hours. Barbara was mostly a stay-at-home mom, but many people in the Bedford area will remember her from when she sold apples each fall at the Feldun-Purdue Ag Center where she lived. She loved talking to people, and her work at the apple shed allowed her to connect with new people and friends from her past. The work was physically difficult, but she enjoyed her time spent there. She also worked hard in the vegetable garden every summer and canned or froze countless jars and bags of vegetables and fruit over the years, as well as making her famous apple butter. She was a long-time member of the Central Church of Christ. She could often be seen there carrying food she had prepared for grieving families, potlucks, and celebrations. Her kids and grandkids knew there would always be homemade cookies in the freezer, and she tried to prepare your favorite dessert if she knew you were coming to visit. She enjoyed playing cards and watching sports, especially Purdue basketball. Barbara was a loving mother, sister, friend and faithful wife. She will be greatly missed. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 am on Monday, February 17th in the Elmwood Chapel of the Day & Carter Mortuary with Bro. Rick Leach officiating. Private committal in Pinhook Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:30 am until the hour of service on Monday at the Day & Carter Mortuary. Family and friends may express condolences at www.daycarter.com.