Bonnie Bell Hodge

Bonnie Bell Bailey Hodge, 87, of Rocky Gap, VA died Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010, in Princeton,WV following a long period of declining health. Born at Windmill Gap, on May 19, 1923, to Grover Cleveland and Mabel O'Brien Bailey, Bonnie Bell was the 9th of 17 children and the third daughter. She was a graduate of McComas High School and earned her undergraduate degree in education and library science from Concord College in Athens, WV. The last part of her 38 year career was spent as the librarian of Graham Jr. High School and Graham Middle School in Tazewell Co. VA. Bonnie was a beloved wife, mother, and devoted church member. After her retirement she enjoyed spending time with her grand daughters, Hollie Ann Thurston and Chessie O’Neill Hodge. She never faltered in her love for her siblings, nieces and nephews. Formerly a member of Prosperity Methodist Church, Windmill Gap, and Ebenezer United Methodist Church, Bluefield, VA, Bonnie belonged to Rocky Gap United Methodist Church in Rocky Gap, VA. Bonnie was predeceased by her parents, Grover Cleveland and Mabel O'Brien Bailey; husband, Elijah Allen Hodge; sisters, Frances Bailey, Zelma Bailey Settle, Dora Bailey Baldwin, Mamie Bailey Taylor and Patricia Bailey Sadler; brothers, Leonard Bailey, Bernard Bailey, U. G. Bailey, Raymond Bailey, Delmar Bailey, Clinton Bailey and David Bailey. She is survived by son, Jonathan Hodge of NC, daughter, Mollie Thurston of Blacksburg, VA, grand daughters, Hollie Ann Fuller and son-in-law Shawn Fuller of Princeton, WV and Chessie Hodge and son-in-law Josh Billips of Berwind, WV. She is also survived by great grand children, Sirius Billips and Kieryn Fuller. She is survived by sister, Bridget Bailey Morrow of Fredericksburg, Va.; brothers, William Bailey and wife, Lucy, of Palatka, Fla., Marvin Bailey and wife, Annette, of Ward, Ark., and Kenneth Bailey and wife, Betty, of Casa Grande, Ariz.; as well as; too many much-loved nieces, nephews and cousins to mention individually; and her special friends, Mavis Davis of Rocky Gap, VA, Carol Weitzel of Athens, WV, and Shirley Miller of Princeton, WV., and special caregivers, the staff of The Havens. Friends and family may call at Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell on Friday, April. 8, 2011 from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Graveside services will be conducted on Saturday, April 9, at 11 a.m. at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton, WV, with the Reverend Rodney Lawson officiating. Those wishing to attend are asked to meet at the funeral home by 10:30 AM. Online condolences will be accepted at www.cravens-shires.com Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell is serving the family.