Obituary for Stanley McKinley Hodges
Stanley McKinley Hodges was born 8 October 1948, in Middlesex County, Saluda, Virginia to Alexander Sr & Lillie Iona Yarbrough Hodges. He was the fifth born of six children. His siblings were: Callie Avis, Alexander Jr. “Johnny”, Larry McKinley, Mary Corrine and Gloria Jean. Stanley completed 74 years of earthly life on 16 April 2023 at his home in Woodbridge, Virginia.
Stanley married Jean Smith on 17 July 1968, they had two children: Michelle D. Killgro and Tracey Ann Scott. He shared three years of life with Jean before their separation in 1971.
Stanley met Carolyn Teresa Copeland in Washington, DC on 4 July 1974. At the time he was working for Slattery Construction Company where he met Carolyn’s Father, Algie Copeland. As a coworker, he got to know Stanley as a “man of integrity”. Algie introduced them, and they were married on 12 July 1977. Sustained by love and open communication, Stanley and Carolyn shared 46 years of marriage.
Stanley dropped out of the Middlesex County schools about 8th grade and left Saluda to find work in the South. He found his calling in construction work. Following his father and grandfather’s natural talent for carpentry, he mastered the trade through work experience. He worked on major construction projects, such as the first subway system in the Washington DC area. Stanley had to overcome many barriers to succeed in his trade. He suffered with severe stuttering which impacted his ability to learn how to read and write. It was also what ultimately caused him to leave school and find a job. His classmates laughed at him as he struggled to answer the teacher when called upon.
Stanley was an example of how God blesses us. Unable to read, he was gifted with the ability to read blueprints. He was a dependable worker and took advantage of each job to demonstrate his carpentry skills. Without formal education or training in his trade and with the assistance of his employer, on September 12, 1985, Stanley was initiated into Local 1145 and became a 10-year member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America.
Stanley was preceded in death by his Parents: Alexander Sr and Lillie Iona; Brothers, Alexander Jr & Larry; Stepsister Valarie Braxton Carr; Paternal Grandparents: Nelson Sr & Lucille Holiday Hodges; Step grandmother: Avis Carter Hodges; Maternal Grandparents: Joseph C. & Olivia Scott Yarbrough.
Stanley leaves to cherish his memories: Wife, Carolyn (Woodbridge, VA); Daughters: Tracey Scott ( Capitol Heights, MD ), Michelle Killgro (Laurel, MD) Sisters, Callie Avis Dugas (Beaumont, TX), Mary Corrine Pearson (Newark, DE), Gloria Jean Holmes (Urbanna, VA); Stepbrothers: James Braxton Sr. (Linda) of Fredericksburg, VA; Levi Braxton III (Saluda, VA), Uncle: Nelson Hodges Jr (Russell, MA); Aunt: Jeanet Payne (Churchview, VA). Ten Grandchildren, eleven Great Grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
A funeral service will be held 12:30 PM, Friday, April 28, 2023, at Immanuel Baptist Church. The family will receive friends, 10:30 am to 12:30 PM. Followed by Interment at the church cemetery. Faulkner Funeral Homes, Bristow-Faulkner Chapel, is assisting the family.
Stanley married Jean Smith on 17 July 1968, they had two children: Michelle D. Killgro and Tracey Ann Scott. He shared three years of life with Jean before their separation in 1971.
Stanley met Carolyn Teresa Copeland in Washington, DC on 4 July 1974. At the time he was working for Slattery Construction Company where he met Carolyn’s Father, Algie Copeland. As a coworker, he got to know Stanley as a “man of integrity”. Algie introduced them, and they were married on 12 July 1977. Sustained by love and open communication, Stanley and Carolyn shared 46 years of marriage.
Stanley dropped out of the Middlesex County schools about 8th grade and left Saluda to find work in the South. He found his calling in construction work. Following his father and grandfather’s natural talent for carpentry, he mastered the trade through work experience. He worked on major construction projects, such as the first subway system in the Washington DC area. Stanley had to overcome many barriers to succeed in his trade. He suffered with severe stuttering which impacted his ability to learn how to read and write. It was also what ultimately caused him to leave school and find a job. His classmates laughed at him as he struggled to answer the teacher when called upon.
Stanley was an example of how God blesses us. Unable to read, he was gifted with the ability to read blueprints. He was a dependable worker and took advantage of each job to demonstrate his carpentry skills. Without formal education or training in his trade and with the assistance of his employer, on September 12, 1985, Stanley was initiated into Local 1145 and became a 10-year member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America.
Stanley was preceded in death by his Parents: Alexander Sr and Lillie Iona; Brothers, Alexander Jr & Larry; Stepsister Valarie Braxton Carr; Paternal Grandparents: Nelson Sr & Lucille Holiday Hodges; Step grandmother: Avis Carter Hodges; Maternal Grandparents: Joseph C. & Olivia Scott Yarbrough.
Stanley leaves to cherish his memories: Wife, Carolyn (Woodbridge, VA); Daughters: Tracey Scott ( Capitol Heights, MD ), Michelle Killgro (Laurel, MD) Sisters, Callie Avis Dugas (Beaumont, TX), Mary Corrine Pearson (Newark, DE), Gloria Jean Holmes (Urbanna, VA); Stepbrothers: James Braxton Sr. (Linda) of Fredericksburg, VA; Levi Braxton III (Saluda, VA), Uncle: Nelson Hodges Jr (Russell, MA); Aunt: Jeanet Payne (Churchview, VA). Ten Grandchildren, eleven Great Grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
A funeral service will be held 12:30 PM, Friday, April 28, 2023, at Immanuel Baptist Church. The family will receive friends, 10:30 am to 12:30 PM. Followed by Interment at the church cemetery. Faulkner Funeral Homes, Bristow-Faulkner Chapel, is assisting the family.