Tributes

Thursday afternoon, July 10, 2025, Heaven Became a little sweeter when Frances Joann (Nanny) Hodges Holley passed peacefully from this world at the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House in Huntington, WV and into the presence of her precious Lord Jesus, whom she loved and served since she was young. She was born on August 1, 1931, in Mason County, WV where she was raised by her grandparents John and Maryann Sturgeon Wheaton, and her uncle Douglass Wheaton after her mother passed away several days after Joann was born. Joann was raised on her grandparents farm in Mason County and her journey on this earth was marked by hard work, love and compassion, and unwavering faith in God. She was the true Matriarch of the Hodges clan. Joann was also a true “Prayer Warrior” and her love, prayers, sacrifices, and faith in God has left a strong and committed legacy for all of her children and their families, whom she loved dearly, and to whom she will forever be a true blessing. Joann was a member of Highlawn Baptist Church for over 50 years. She was a Sunday school teacher, Nursery Director, Mission President, a deaconess and a greeter. She participated in their traditional Easter Pageant as the lame women that was healed by Jesus, found in the Holy Bible in Luke 13:10-17. Later, after moving to Orlando FL, he attended 1st Baptist Church of Orlando where she taught Sunday school and was part of that church’s drama team where she had the same role. The 1st Baptist drama team was later invited to share their Easter presentation in England and, as a result of that trip she was able to visit several countries and visit her brother and his family who lived in France, whom she had not seen for 33 years following his service in the military during World War II. She also participated in mission trip to Argentina with her church family. She was later able to visit the Holy Land of Israel with her church family which she said was one of the greatest memories of her life. Joann retired from the Huntington Police Department where she was a Report Review Clerk, and later from Sears in Barboursville, WV and Sears in Orlando, FL. At age 91, with the urging of her children, Joann wrote her life story (in longhand cursive) in a book titled "God’s Hand On My Life” that has been published and available on Amazon.com. Joann was preceded in death by her parents, Garland and Vernenna (Wheaten) Barnette, Her sisters, Immogene Mynes (Joe) and Dorothy Turley (Bill), her brothers Howard Barnett (Betty) and Henry Barnett (Henrietta), her husband, Earl Holley of Lorain, OH, her daughter, Drema Diane Hodges, a granddaughter Jamie Nicole Hodges, and a special son-in-law, Tom Bickford. She is survived by her son William L. “Bill” Hodges (Sue) of Oviedo, FL, Melody McSweeney (Danny) of Huntington, WV, Doug Hodges (Sharon) of Orlando, FL, Danny Hodges (Karen) Willowood, OH, and Donna Bickford of Milton, WV. She is also survived by 15 precious grandchildren; Jason Hodges (Glenna) of Tazewell, TN, Kristen Hodges of Oviedo, FL, Holly Cook of Oviedo, FL, Brian McSweeney (Emily) of Erie, PA, Keith McSweeney (Melanie) of Huntington, WV, Jason McSweeney of Huntington, WV, Amanda Ellison (Alex) of Rossville, Indiana, Justin Hodges of Orlando, FL, Megan Hodges of Orlando, FL, Brittany Freeman (Eric) of Willowood, OH, Jonathan Hodges of Willowood, OH, Brandon Bickford (Courtney) of Ona, WV, Brad Bickford of Charlotte, NC, Brooke Bickford of Milton, WV, as well as her 14 great grandchildren; Nicholas Hodges, Ella Hodges, Grayson Misare, Brooks Misare, Brady McSweeney (Sydney), Hunter McSweeney, Lorelei McSweeney, Jack Ellison, Walker Ellison, Clara Hodges, Emily Freeman, Jace Freeman, Maddie Bickford and Emma Bickford, along with many nieces and nephews and special friends. A celebration of Joann’s life will take place Sunday, July 20, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Henson and Kitchen Mortuary, 1592 East Pea Ridge Road in Huntington, WV. Friends are invited to gather at 1:15 p.m. to share their memories with the family. The service will be conducted by her son, Rev. Danny Hodges and her son-in-law Rev. Danny McSweeney. There will be no graveside services. www.hensonandkitchen.com

Tributes

Frances JoAnn Barnett Hodges Holley

August 1, 1931 - July 10, 2025