Rosa Nell Hodge

Obituary For Rosa Nell Hodge

Rosa Hodge, 79, of Salem, AL passed on Friday, May 8, 2026 in Columbus, GA.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 EST. Friday, May 15, 2026 at St. Paul C.M.E. Church Crawford, AL. with Rev. James Q. Smith, officiating. Dr. Raynetta Prevo-Williams, Pastor. Burial in the Church Cemetery. Public visitation will be held 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST. Thursday, May 14, 2026.

Rosa Nell Hodge, known lovingly as Rosie was born in Lee County, Alabama on January 21,1947 to the late Henry Simpson, Sr. & the late Princella “Mow” Kindell Simpson. The twelfth child of 13 gifts from God to Henry and Princella. Nell’s early childhood years were spent in the Marvin, Alabama/Union Grove Baptist Church community. The Simpson family moved to the Salem, Alabama community during Nell’s pre-teen years. Nell’s siblings adored and respected their ‘pretty baby sister’. Nell attended Sandford elementary school in Russell County, Alabama and Sanford High School in Opelika, Alabama.

Nell was joined in Holy Matrimony to the Late Rev. Bobbie Lee Hodge, Sr. They were married for 59 years until he recently predeceased her. God gave this union two sacred gifts, The Center of Nell’s heart – two caring sons that Nell proudly gleamed in seeing the Men Folk of Character and Dignity that Tony & Bobbie Jr. grew into. Nothing compared to the joy that Nell found in the endeavors and accomplishments of her sons. Nell would often refer to both Tony & Jr. in conversation as “My Baby”. Seeing the Joy, Zeal, and Diligence that Nell had to sometimes cook just what each of her ‘babies’ wanted to eat, was a true demonstration of Christ living.

Nell worked her first job at Data Technologies for more than 20 years. Her greatest memory from ‘Data Tech’ was: “Junior was born when I was working at Data Tech”.

As the economy shifted, in Nell’s ‘hard working character, Nell attained employment with Uniroyal Goodrich, where she diligently worked approx. 20 years until her youthful retirement.

Although Nell was employed by companies, nothing compared to the cakes that she would often bake for family, friends, co-workers, and in her good heartedness just people that she would share her Good Cooking with.

Amazingly, as number 12 of 13 children, Nell’s heart saw to everybody being “see-ed at”.

Nell often boasted of the fact that “I have only ever been a member of 1 church, St. Paul”, which she loved dearly. Nell became a Christ loving member of St. Paul, CME shortly after being wed to her late husband in 1966.

Rosa Nell was a True ROSE from God.

Nell leaves to grow in her love and memory, not go down in mourning:

Two Sons in whom she took High Value in being their Mother, Rock, and Confidant – Tony Hodge of Salem, Alabama and Bobbie Lee Hodge, Jr. (San) of Columbus, Ga. One Sister – Lula Bell Simpson Toliver(Leroy) of Dallas, Tx. One Brother – Lonnie D. Simpson of Salem, Alabama. A niece that she grew up with as a sister – Julia Martin. A niece that is DEDICATED to her/Nell’s care and the care of Nell’s sons – Mary Whitaker. Three Sister in laws – Clementene Pearson; Nonie Daniels; and Almeda Drake (Maurice). Four Brother in laws – Elroy Hodge; Homer Hodge(Barbara); Henry Hodge(Julia); and David Hodge(Valerie). Nell smiled when she would tell people that she and Dorothy Lillie have been friends since elementary school.

Nell often had joyful conversation even into her final days about the multitude of nieces, nephew, friends, co-workers and people along the way that she so dearly loved and appreciated.

Nell cherished the memories and lives of her parents – Henry Sr. & Princella and all 10 of her siblings that predeceased her: Ida Mae, Gertrude, Lillie Mae, Henry, Jr., Eloise, Idell, Johnny Mae, Ross, Virginia and Major, Sr.

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