Adella May Hodges

Adella May Hodges, age 96, of Rigby, died at her home Monday, November 19, 2007. She was born May 26, 1911 in Lehi, UT, first child or Edward H. Peterson and Anna Maude (Anderson) Peterson. She spent her early childhood in Stockton, UT, Downey, ID and Logan, UT. Her mother died when she was twelve, she took care of her younger brother, sister and father until she graduated from Logan High School. Then her dad put her on a train to go to Delta, UT to meet Lamont Early Hodges, they were married in Oak City, UT on June 9, 1930. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Logan Temple. They moved to Springfield, ID in 1930 where Lamont had taken a job as principal of the high school. While in Springfield two children were born, a girl Geraldene (who died in infancy) in 1931 and a son DeWayne Peterson Hodges in 1932. In 1934 they moved to Medicine Lodge, ID, where Lamont was principal of the two room school, one room for grade school and on room for high school. In 1935 they moved into Dubois, ID to open a “Sweet Shop” to cater to the CCC boys. In 1938 Lamont built a larger “Sweet Shop” and gas station next door. May ran the station as Lamont continued teaching at Medicine Lodge driving out and back each day. On Dec. 6, 1941 they bought a motion picture circuit which they operated until about 1947. Because they had bought the motion picture circuit, the school board asked Lamont to resign. Lamont bid on and got the mail contract to deliver mail to Medicine Lodge and Winsper. May drove this a lot as Lamont had taken a job as principal at Hamer. Because of the shortage of teachers, May got an emergency teaching certificate and also taught school at Hamer. After the war she went back to school and graduated from Utah State Agricultural College. In 1954 she took a job teaching at Ririe High School, where she remained for twenty-two years, driving from Dubois almost every day. She was active in the LDS church and as Stake librarian she helped establish the libraries in most of the churches in the Rigby area. She became and active member of the Lions club in 1991 staying active until about a year ago. She wa an avid genealogy worker, going to the church history center almost every day until she lost her eyesight and drivers license on her 94th birthday. She is survived by her son, DeWayne (Gayle) Hodges of Rigby, a half brother Donald (Gloris) Peterson of Prattville, Alabama, a half sister Mary Ann (Doyle) Shaw of West Valley City, UT, a half sister Janet (Mike) Huiatt of San Antonio, TX, five grandsons and ten great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her infant daughter, her husband a grandson, three brothers and a sister. Family requests, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Idaho Sight and Hearing Foundation (Box 44620 Boise, Idaho 83711). A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 21, 2007 at Logan City Cemetery under the direction of Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby. The family will visit with friends from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 30, 2007 at the East Rigby Stake Center.