Alice M Hodge

Alice Margareta Hodge was born on September 18, 1922 to the late Max Henry Ousley and the late Marie Ousley-Best in Cincinnati, Ohio.  She departed this life on May 12, 2023 in her home in Roxbury Massachusetts.

In 1929, she and her mom moved to Boston where they resided with her aunt and uncle, Ida and Mort Judson, on Fort Hill. Alice continued her education in the Boston Public Schools. Upon graduation from Roxbury Memorial High School in 1941, Alice entered Boston Clerical and later the University of Massachusetts, Boston.

Upon moving to Boston, Alice and her mom joined Charles Street A.M.E. Church. She often reminisced about how she and her mom marched from the original Charles Street building on Beacon to the current site. She spoke about her involvement in the youth programs and the strong example of service set by her mother, who instilled in her the importance of church, community and giving back. She continued to follow that example throughout her life and became a model for many others.

Alice was active in many auxiliaries within the church.  For nineteen years she served as the Unit Leader of the Gladys R. Holmes Missionary Unit of the Sarah Gorham Women’s Missionary Society of Charles Street A.M.E. Church. For years her unit sold breakfast foods after church services as a way to raise money. Her organizational skills and financial acumen, along with the delicious food, helped make the Coffee Table a great success, and one of her proudest achievements.

Her service was memorialized in October, 2022 when the unit was renamed the Gladys R. Holmes/Alice M. Hodge Missionary Unit. Although she was unable to attend the event, it was indeed a proud and humbling moment for her.

In December 2005, she was named a Mother of the church and she proudly sat in the designated row. She loved meeting the young families who would visit the Mothers with fruit baskets and other goodies certain times of the year. Having been a divorced mother of two sons, she understood the challenges of raising children and supported those families in any way she could, contributing to scholarship funds and recognizing their graduations and accomplishments. She greatly appreciated the ministerial staff who brought her communion when she was no longer able to attend on a regular basis and visited her at the hospital, and the staff who were always so responsive to her every need. She loved her Charles Street family.

She was honored to receive the Torchbearer Award at the church’s Bicentennial Gala in 2018. Presented by the Rev. Gregory Groover, the award recognized and thanked her “for gracing us with your ever-faithful, tremendously-gifted, and ceaselessly-devoted membership”.

In addition to her service at church, she served faithfully within her community, receiving numerous awards and citations. She was a member of the advisory board of the Roxbury Senior Care program for many years. After her retirement, she joined the Goldenaires of Freedom House. She served for two years as the coordinator and for many years served on the Summer Fling Committee.  She volunteered as the Goldenaires’ liaison to Boston City Hall for events and senior programs. Alice called her experience with the Goldenaires one of her most rewarding experiences because the organization is committed to family advocacy and providing resources throughout her community. She loved her Goldenaires Family.

Alice was one of the original tenants to reside at Charlame Park Homes and was proud of the fact that when others left Roxbury, she stayed. She brought up her sons there and continued to live there for 60 years. She formed many friendships within the community, and in her later years was blessed to be surrounded by people who she could call upon for anything she needed including shopping and transportation to appointments and church.  The office and staff always went above and beyond what was required.  It was truly a “village” and their support allowed her to continue to live there independently until the end. She loved her Charlame Park Family.

Alice retired from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in September of 1989 after 26 years of dedicated public service.  At the time of her retirement, she was the Supervisor of Municipal Services in the Department of Personnel Administration.

Alice attributed her personal and professional success to God’s grace and the support, love and guidance given to her by her strong mother. She often passed on that wisdom to her “Adopted Daughters” with whom she would share Sunday dinners, talk for hours on the phone, go to brunch at Legals, and who always showered her with flowers and cards on her special occasions. She was touched by their devotion and love. Each had their own special place in her heart. She also had scores of “nieces” and “nephews” from the early years when she lived on Harrishof Street. All remember those years and friendships fondly and cherished her as the last of the parents from that group. Alice loved her extended family.

She cherished her friends, and they her. She was fortunate to still have a few life-long friends, though most have passed. She shared close friendships with many from her church, the community and work, and was intentional about staying in touch. They called her often, but knew not to call before 10 a.m., because she loved her sleep as well, or after 8 p.m. when she was watching the political drama unfold on MSNBC. Alice loved her friends (and politics).

Most of all, Alice loved her family. On May 12, 2023, the Lord called Alice home to be with him. Although we will miss her, God’s appointed time had come. Among those that will miss her are her two sons, Francis F. Hodge, Jr.  (wife Josephine) of Pueblo, Colorado; Gregory C. Hodge of Tucson, Arizona; three grandchildren: Quiana N. Hess (husband Leroy) of Florence Colorado, Francis F. Hodge, III of Kansas City, Missouri, and Timothy Hodge (wife Jasmine) of Sacramento, California; and six great-grandchildren:  Brett Hess, Alexis Hess, Zoey Hess, Joseph Hess, Dante Hodge and Kiva Hodge.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Diane (Toody) Dickerson for the love and attention demonstrated during Mom’s stay here on earth.

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