Johnnie Mae Hodges

On September 19, 2020, Johnnie Mae Hannah who was born on August 13,1939 to James and Lovie May (Byrd) Hannah of Kennedy, Alabama, Transitioned form the body and into the glorious, face-2-face presence of Father God, up close and in spirit. Her mother, Lovie, had transitioned while Johnnie was still a toddler, so she was separated from her siblings and raised by relatives in Montgomery, Alabama. however, at the onset of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Johnnie was sent to Buffalo, New York to live with Hattie M. Hall, the relative that became, without a doubt, her mother. 

In Buffalo, Johnnie graduated from Lafayette High School, where she received honors for both academics and sports. Continuing her education, Johnnie recived a Bachelor's degree from Bryant and Stratton College and a Masters's degree from the University of Buffalo. In 1962, she met and marreid Alvin Hodges, and they had two beautiful daughters, Lisa and Sharon who were the light of her life. 

having spent nine years working at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and attending school at the same time. Johnnie decided to leave her position there and do what she was absolutely created to do, be an educator. As a professor at Erie Community College (ECC), City Campus for over 24 years, Johnnie used her gifts and talents to equip students for success in business and in life. She was instrumental in education women in the classroom and though programs that allowed them to leave welfare and the prison system equipped to obtain employment. At ECC, She also was an New York State Administrator for the civil service exam and an active participant with the National Education Association (NEA).

Johnnie's servant leader's heart was seen in the organizations where she volunteered, participated, and served in local and national leadership positions. She was the people's advocate, staying faithful to the fight against racism as the life-time member of the National Association of the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and was in leadership with the National Bowling Association and her esteemed sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

At St. John Baptist Church, Johnnie, known as Sister Hodges, served under all three pastors: reverends McCarley, Smith, and Chapman. She Embraced young and old alike as the youth leadership advisor, Sunday school officer, organizer of the bowling ministry, assistant church clerk, member of the Christian Education Ministry, and the Progressive National Baptist Convention Board. She was actively involved in the formation and staffing of St. John Christian Academy and delighted in singing in two choirs, the Bells, and the United Voices.

Travel, across country or globally, was one of Johnnies's joys and she always encouraged others to join her. She relished in packing her suitcase in preparation for the next adventure in the car or on a plane. 

As a mother and grandmother, Johnnie has officially passed the duty of unconditional love to her daughters, Lisa R. Hodges ( Lanham, MD), and Sharon (sherry) D. Green ( Bowie, MD), her beloved grandson, John'al LB Green and to all of the relatives friends and colleagues who were always her FAMILY.

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