Ruth Toms Hodge, age 100 of Forest City, died Sunday, December 22, 2024, at Hospice House in Forest City.  Ruth was born on April 14, 1924, in Rutherford County and was a daughter of the late George P. and Eula Edgerton Toms. 

She was reared in the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church where she was an active member for many years until more recently, she attended Florence Baptist Church where she also enjoyed fellowship with her many friends there.  Ruth was a 1942 graduate of Cool Springs High School, a 1946 graduate of East Carolina State Teachers’ College and Appalachian State in 1962 where she earned her Master of Arts in Biology. 

She was a dedicated educator and teacher in the Rutherford County Schools where she taught home economics for several years at Sunshine School before moving to East Rutherford High School where she taught biology until her retirement.  She was a member of Kappa Kappa Iota Teachers Sorority.  Along with her husband, J. Q., they were members of the Thermal Belt Model A Club, the Apple Country Tractor and Engine Association, and the Duke Power Retirees Association where she once served as its President.  She also enjoyed volunteer work with the Rutherford Hospital. 

Ruth loved her family, and her greatest joy was caring for them and spending time with them.  She loved canning, gardening, and camping trips.  Her passion for camping and travel led she and her husband to travel to almost every state. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, J.Q. Hodge in 2003, her brother, Worth Toms, and sisters, Mary Langston, Grace Philbeck, and Anna Belle Smith.

Survivors include her sons, Jeffrey Hodge and friend, Shannon McCool of Forest City, Mark Hodge and wife Julie of Forest City, her daughters, Marcia Le Blanc and husband Russ of Hurdle Mills, NC, and Tonya Justice and husband Gary of Charlotte.  There are also 8 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.

The funeral service will be held at 11 o’clock on Friday, December 27, 2024, at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, Forest City, with the Reverend Stephen Matheny, Reverend Ad Hopper and Reverend Tonya Garrison officiating.  Interment will follow at Calvary Baptist Church Cemetery in Rutherfordton. The family will receive friends at the church on Friday from 9:30 until 10:45 prior to the service.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, Post Office Box 336, Forest City, North Carolina 28043.

The Padgett and King Mortuary & Crematory is in charge of arrangements and an online guest registry is available at www.padgettking.com