05/09/2025
Martha Belle (Young) Hodges, 104, died peacefully on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at Heritage Village Nursing Home, Gerry, NY with family by her side. Martha Belle lived in Cherry Creek, NY, 93 years before moving to Assisted Living then Nursing at Heritage Village, Gerry, NY. She was born November 21, 1920, in Cherry Creek, NY. Martha Belle graduated from Cherry Creek High School in 1938 and attended Jamestown Business College and the University of Buffalo. She married (George) Lawrence Hodges on May 12, 1941, in her home just before he joined the Army to serve during WWII. They were married 55 years. They later owned/operated the Red & White grocery store in Cherry Creek from 1960 – 1965. Martha Belle then worked as a Teacher’s Aide for many years in the Pine Valley Elementary School, which she loved dearly. She retired in 1979 after which she and Lawrence spent many winters in Bradenton, FL. Martha Belle was very involved in and was a proud and devoted member of the Cherry Creek United Methodist Church all her life. She was always involved in the Church Suppers, Vacation Bible School, bazaars, committees, and meetings, etc. She was also a member of the Eastern Stars and she and Lawrence were members of two pinocle clubs and the Chautauqua County Campers Club. She was also an avid Buffalo Bills fan! Over the years, she knit thousands of cozy “slipper socks” for all her family and everyone who wanted them! We also enjoyed thousands of her chocolate chip cookies. She sure loved her Thursday Card Group! She was a beloved and proud member of her hometown. Martha Belle was a great mom, grandma, great-grandma, and great-great-grandma and was so proud of all of them. She was loved by so many and we’re so lucky to have had her with us for so long. She was quite a “gal” with a lot of s***k and an infectious laugh!
She is survived by her son George “Larry” (Barbara) Hodges of Cherry Creek, NY, her son Merrill “Corky” (Susan) Hodges of Houston, TX, her daughter Judy (Ken) Hein of Chelsea, MI, her five grandchildren, many great grandchildren and many great-great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, George Lawrence Hodges, her father Earl E. Young, her mother Eva (Kellogg) Young, and her brother Lester Young.
Visitation and funeral services will be held Saturday May 10,2025 at DiStasio Funeral Home S.Dayton,NY from 10am to 12 pm where a funeral service will immediately follow. Interment will be in the Cherry Creek Central Cemetery.
In Lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Cherry Creek Museum or the Cherry Creek Business Community Association.
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