Mary Irma Hodges, 97, of Avenue, MD died October 13, 2008 in St. Mary's Nursing Center. Born March 6, 1911 in Abell, MD she was the daughter of the late William Lee and Catherine Dove Russell Owens.

She was the beloved wife of the late Ernest Smith Hodges whom she married on August 25, 1980 at Sacred Heart Church, Bushwood, MD and who preceded her in death on January 20, 1998.

She was a loving and devoted sister to Lois O. Morris of Avenue, MD and the late William A. Owens, Sr., Annie O. Russell and James I. Owens. She was the sister-in-law and friend of Virginia Owens Reynolds and Evelyn Welty Owens. She is survived by one niece, Catherine Sylvia Ryce of Hollywood, MD and five nephews, James A. Russell and his wife Judy of Scotts Valley, CA, Joseph Lee Russell of Abell, MD, James Michael Owens and his friend Susan Spencer of Chaptico, MD, William A. Owens Jr. and his wife Cathy of Lewisburg, TN and James Lee Owens and his wife Mary of Aspen, CO; as well as eight great nieces and nephews, eight great-great nieces and nephews and six great-great-great nieces and nephews.

Mary attended St. Dominics grade school in Washington, DC, River Springs Grade School in Avenue, MD and graduated from River Springs High School "Class of 1929." She worked for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in Washington, DC for thirty years and retired in April 1971. After she retired, she made her home in Avenue, MD. She was a member of Sacred Heart Church in Bushwood, MD and was a great reader who liked to crochet and work puzzles.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, October 16, 2008 from 5:00 – 8:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, where Prayers will be said at 7:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, October 17, 2008 at 10:00 AM in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Bushwood, MD with Fr. Francis Early officiating. Interment will follow in the Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Mike Lacey, Mike Owens, Bill Owens, Kenneth Ryce, Lee Russell and Albert Russell.

Contributions may be made to the 7th District Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 7, Avenue, MD 20609.

Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.