Warren Randolph “Randy” Hodges, 89, died peacefully at home on Watts Bar
Lake on December 16, 2022 after his late wife Tommie Jo’s 86th birthday.
Born July 31, 1933 in Chattanooga, TN to Dorothy Genevieve Blaylock Hodges and Warren Orlando Hodges, Randy was an alumni of Missionary Ridge Elementary and Brainerd Junior High.
He was a high achiever at City High School where he was Head Cheerleader and voted Best Dressed and was a leader in numerous service clubs. His college life began at the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga, where he was class President, Best Dressed on Campus, Joe College, and on the cheer squad.
He went on to earn a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Georgia, where he was Vice President of Kappa Sigma fraternity and a member of Alpha Phi Omega national service fraternity.
Upon graduation, he served as a Private First Class in the US Army in El Paso, TX.
Randy retired as Director of Advertising from Shelby Williams Industries in Morristown, TN in 1997 after a nearly 20 year and ADDY-award winning tenure.
He previously served as Director of Advertising for Holiday Inns International and positions at Royal Desoto, Service Printing Company, and Leica Camera in New York, NY. In retirement, he rediscovered his calling as an award-winning watercolor artist and enjoyed decades of painting scenes from his travels with T.J.
His inordinate attention to detail, light, and shadow were the hallmarks of his prolific works delighting dedicated patrons at shows all throughout the Southeast, winning many Best of Show, Best in Category, festival poster artist, and featured artist accolades.
His many other maker creations included ornate handmade eggshell Christmas ornaments, pinecone wreaths, footstools, honeysuckle and kudzu baskets, shell lamps, and an 82-volume collection of scrapbooks filled with the story of his entire family’s life.
As a devout sun worshiper and skilled gardener, he ensured every corner of the yard showed off its best each season.
Gardens and pots were filled with delights purchased, seeded from friends, or perhaps pinched from a roadside adventure.
With his love of entertaining floral decor made its way inside, where trays of appetizers or elaborate meals - whether set to the finest of tables or themed informal gatherings - greeted guests from around the lake or around the world.
As a man of great faith, he served as Elder for the Presbyterian Church USA, and was an active leader in his local church where a close congregation together holds fast and true to their mission of serving the community together.
He was a lifelong connector - keeping in close touch with friends and family from all facets of his life over the years and helping organize reunions and gatherings with his own style and flair.
A lifelong patron of the theater and the arts, Randy lived his life like a musical. An elaborate and glamorous stage, well-dressed, perfectly choreographed, and always accompanied by a tune being sung or hummed.
He brought beauty and style to everything he did, whether bringing church flowers every Sunday or a simple gift to a friend.
His propensity to seek out the sunny spots in life - always finding beauty, always finding humor - remains treasured by his family and friends.
Randy is survived by his first grandchild Claire Weldon Futrell (Josh Raper) who was preceded in death by T.J. and Randy’s first daughter Elizabeth Weldon “Libby” Gross (nee Futrell), his son Warren Randolph “Warren” Hodges, Jr. (Susan Sweeney Hodges and children Samuel Randolph “Sam” Hodges and Ann Marie Hodges) of Lexington, KY, his daughter Dorothy Blaylock “Dottie” Hodges (Harold “Hal” Turner and children Marshall Warren Dandelski and Katherine “Kit” Turner) of Signal Mountain, TN.
He is also survived by legions of beloved cousins from his Hodges, Blaylock, and Fullam/Ingvalson families, and his cousin by marriage from the May family.
Services will be held Sunday, April 9th in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Those interested in attending may email thecabinwattsbar@gmail.com. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Spring City, mail to PO Box 455 Spring City, TN 37381, or the Pine Grove Volunteer Fire Department, Attn: Randy Hodges Memorial, 314 Euchee Chapel Rd. Spring City, TN 37381.
Vaughn Funeral Home in Spring City, Tennessee is in charge of the arrangements.
(0) entries
Sign the guestbook.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.