Condolence: Julia, My deepest sympathy to you! I can only echo my classmates' and my aunt's words to indicate the impact your mother made on my life. She is one of the few high school teachers I vividly remember and as Melvin Gray said, we would rush home to try to solve the extra credit problem often working together with our classmates over the phone. Mrs. Hodges encouraged, challenged and taught us to be creative thinkers. She touched so many lives! I share your sadness at your loss. Sandra Goodman Segel

Condolence: Like so many others, I wish to convey my deep gratitude that I was one of the lucky ones to have Mrs. Hodges as a teacher who truly helped mould me. After four years of her math tuteledge and two years of biology from Mrs. Lusk I meandered off to the University of the South thinking I would double major in math and biology because they had brought those fields so alive for me. I can still remember the thrill of going home to try and tackle one of the * (extra credit) problems. Only a gifted teacher like Mrs. Hodges could cause one to think that factoring quadratic equations would fall in the category of "recreational" activity. She made math fun and stimulating for me.

Condolence: Julia, Your mother was a special lady to so many. Like other posts on here, I had your mother as a teacher in algebra in the early 60s. She instilled in me a love for algebra that I still have. I am so sorry for your loss. I hope the love others had for your mom and your good memories will comfort you at this time. Sandra Dannaway

Condolence: I had the privilege of being on the faculty with both Jane and "Shine" - 2 incredible math teachers who were also 2 incredible sisters. Their love for their students was always evident, as well as their ability to relate difficult concepts in an understandable way. Our prayers are with you, Julia.

Condolence: How delightful to see that Mrs. Hodges kept her beauty to the end. She taught me Geometry in the 1950s at SHS, and was one of my very favorite teachers - so patient and calm with us - and persisted til we "got it". I'm so sorry for your loss.

Condolence: Mrs. Hodges was a teacher who was very influential in my decision to become a teacher. When asked about favorite teachers, she is the first that comes to mind. She was a loving and caring teacher as well as one that I could easily talk to. Heaven gained a true angel. She will be missed. I am so thankful for all the lessons learned from her, life and mathematics.

Condolence: Mrs. Hodges was one of my favorite teachers at Starkville High. I loved her dry sense of humor and wit. I also remember worrying that she would call on me in class totally unprepared. She will always be a special memory. Rest in peace, Mrs. Hodges.

Condolence: Dianne and I were saddened to learn of the passing of Methyl Hodges. She was a wonderful lady that gave of herself to many in Starkville. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family at this time.

Condolence: This lady impacted all of us so much. Prayers for family and precious memories. For all of us!

Condolence: Mrs. Hodges was truly an amazing and uniquely gifted teacher. She had an incredible ability to spell out difficult concepts in a crystal clear way. She had a wonderful sense of humor and she truly cared about her many students. I'm a professor now and I often talk about her when I discuss the great teachers in my life. She was an inspiration and a credit to the public school system. Thank you for all that you did, Mrs. Hodges.

Condolence: Dear Julia and family, I had the honor to be a student in Mrs. Hodges' classes and as a colleague at SHS. She trained me well and I think contributed to my success in my teaching career. She taught both my daughter Melanie and tutored my son Billy. Billy said he wished he could have been in her class. She really lived up to her name of Shine. Judy Moody

Condolence: I was honored, privileged, and at times humbled to serve as Mrs.Hodges's principal at Starkville High School from 1981-84. What a wonderful experience it was to serve with an individual of Miss Methyl's teaching ability; but even more, to have served with one of her character and commitment to others. And to you,Julia...I thank you for sharing your mother with my wife,Susan, as I have no doubt that she had an influence on Susan being a special mate for the last 40 years. Rest in peace, dear friend. Bob Phares

Condolence: Julia, I have just enjoyed reading messages, mostly from your mother’s students. I cannot improve on the accolades. She was an outstanding teacher, a wonderful person and a tremendous asset to our school and community. I am so thankful that four of our children got to experience her expertise and personality in the classroom. Later, I had the privilege of getting to know her better as our paths crossed at Starkville Manor and also as we each reached out to a mutual friend in need. You have a treasure to remember and give thanks for. Blessings as you walk the path of grief. Vic and Jane Zitta

Condolence: Maybe because I was a girl in the 70's, I never imagined that I could be good at math, but Ms. Hodges encouraged me and I found that I could be better than I thought.

Condolence: Julia, I was so sorry to hear about your mother. She was a great math teacher! I really enjoyed being in her Algebra 2 class. I don't know if you remember but you were my 7th grade math teacher at the Old Middle School in 1974-1975. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family!!

Condolence: Julia, I am so sorry to hear of your mother's passing. Your mother was such a huge influence in my life and my choice to become a mathematics teacher. She was wonderful and I have many great memories of being in her classes. I feel privileged to be one of her former students. You will be in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. Donna

Condolence: Julia, My deepest condolences on the loss of your mother. She was a rare and remarkable woman. I will remember her not only for her exceptional gifts as a teacher, but for the courage and dignity she showed in the face of immense physical challenges over the years. And lest it be forgotten, her dry sense of humor was delightfully unparalleled and unfailing! Her life was truly inspirational in so many ways. She will be deeply missed. My family and I will keep you and your family in our prayers. -Julie

Condolence: Julia, I have fond memories of Mrs. Hodges. She was my favorite teacher of all times. I had her in algebra and remember her coming to the SHS basketball games showing her support to us. What a wonderful lady! My prayers and thoughts are with you.

Condolence: Over my lifetime Mrs. Hodges was one of the few people that provided very positive mentoring for me. After having her as my teacher in Sr. Math at Starkville High School, I later did my student teaching for her. On my very first day student teaching, Mrs. Hodges was late to school and send word for me to cover the classes. When I told her later how scared I was, she told me that she knew I could do it. What a great lesson to learn from a great lady.

Condolence: Julia, I was so sorry to hear about the loss of your mom. As many will tell you, she was one of my favorite teachers...I loved having her as a teacher, not just because she taught me mathematics and she did that splendidly. I didn't major in math but I use what I learned from her pretty much every day in my chemistry classroom. I can still quote chapter and verse what a function is and explain most of the mathematical properties she taught me. Students have asked me how did I remember that and I tell them "I had an awesome algebra teacher in HS." She also taught me about life and humor and caring. It truly was a privilege to be in her class. I loved your mom. Many people think that I became a teacher because of my mother and while I did follow in her footsteps and became a science teacher, your mom and many of the other teachers at SHS played a huge role in my life. God Bless and I am sorry for your loss. Dr. Melanie L. Moody

Condolence: So sorry to hear of Mrs. Hodges' passing. I was one of her students at SHS back in 1984-85. She knew how to bring out the math afficionado in all her students. She was an inspiration and a blessing!

Condolence: Joining the multitude of her grateful former students in praise of her unselfish and energetic gifts as a teacher, I thank our Creator for her life. Personally I regret that I too seldom thanked her over the decades for her patience with me as one of her hardest cases of impish deportment, but whenever I did so forgave me with her characteristic charity and pretended to remember only my love of mathematics. There are too few like Mrs. Hodges, so I hope all her admirers will encourage their brightest young ones to become teachers, at the same time demanding in memory of Mrs. Hodges that our legislators compensate them in accordance with their performance.

Condolence: Her family can be proud that Methyl is one of the few of us who leaves having had so many positive influences on so many people. A wonderful person and teacher.

Condolence: Deepest sympathy to Mrs. Hodges family. She was my math teacher in the 50's and she was a wonderful teacher. She made learning math exciting and fun. We all loved her. She made a real impact on the lives of her students and prepared us for college math. She will be greatly missed.

Condolence: Julia, we loved your mom as well as you! She lived a wonderful life as the best math teacher and neighbor!

Condolence: Julia, you have my condolences for the loss of your mother. She was a wonderful person and an incredible teacher. She will forever live on in my memory as one of only a few teachers who have had a profound effect upon the course of my life. The understanding and enjoyment of mathematics that she nurtured within me during my four years at Starkville High School gained me admittance to the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1966. I would never have had that opportunity without her instruction and guidance. I am proud that my daughter has chosen the teaching profession as her life's work; I can only hope that she will somehow become as gifted a teacher as was your Mom.

Condolence: So sorry for the loss of Mrs. Hodges. She was my algebra teacher at SHS. She was a fantastic teacher and a great lady.

Condolence: Julia, my condolences on your mom's passing. She was such an incredible algebra teacher. She was firm, tough, and I learned algebra! I always think of her with very fond memories. Again, I am sorry for your loss. Warm regards, Molly

Condolence: Dr. Hodge's-So sorry for your loss. I will be praying for peace and comfort for your family.

Condolence: So sorry to hear of your mother's passing. I'll be praying for you and your family.