On Thanksgiving Day, November 24th, 2016, Joy Nalty Hodges, 86, of Alexandria and New Orleans died peacefully surrounded by her children. This day and every day we give thanks for Joy Hodges and her beautiful and full life of service to God, family and community. A true southern lady, Joy was a positive force of nature. Passionate and generous, she touched everyone with her larger than life personality. She will be greatly missed. Joy Nalty Hodges, a devoted wife, a loving mother and grandmother was an active member of the community. She was a graduate of the Academy of the Sacred Heart in New Orleans and Marymount College in Tarrytown, New York. Joy, a lover of New Orleans' traditions, was Queen of Proteus and Osiris. She married the love of her life, William Henry Hodges, in 1953 and shortly thereafter made their home in Alexandria. Joy's Catholic faith was paramount. She was a member of St. Frances Cabrini Church in Alexandria and St. Stephen Church in New Orleans. Joy was a Lady of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem and a member of the Order of St. Lazarus. Many local and national organizations benefited from her leadership. Joy served on numerous boards in furtherance of her faith, philanthropic endeavors, and community improvement initiatives. Some of the organizations to which she devoted her time and talents included serving as the first woman President of the Louisiana Forestry Association, Founding Board Member of both Willwoods Community and Alexandria Museum of Art. Joy served as president of the of the Junior League of Alexandria and YWCA. Joy was a Board Member of the Louisiana State Museum, Saint Mary's Training Center, LSUA Foundation, Forest Landowners Association, Tulane University Medical Cancer Center Advisory Board and Christus Cabrini Foundation among many others. She was appointed to The Committee of 100. Joy was honored with numerous awards including a 2009 Louisiana Legend Award, Forest Landowner of the Year, and the Service Above Self Award (Rotary Club). Survivors include her four loving children and their spouses: William Henry Hodges, Jr. (Renee), Philip Nalty Hodges (Jane Scott), Lucille Joy Hodges, and Mathilde Hodges Sateri (John); grandsons; William Henry Hodges III, Philip Nalty Hodges, Jr., Hamilton Hodges Sateri, and granddaughters Rachel Rayford Hodges, Katherine Renee Hodges, Jane Talley Hodges, and Madeleine Livaudais Sateri. Joy is also survived by her sisters-in-law Betsy Nalty Simmons (Dick), Jane Hanemann Nalty, Jane Mills Nalty, Beverly Hodges Davis, and Tedie Hodges Cahill, her brother-in-law Dick Hodges (Carol) and by her many nieces and nephews, each of whom she loved dearly. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Henry Hodges, parents, Lucille Mooney Nalty and William Halpin Nalty, her sister Marilynn Nalty, her brothers Mooney, Donald and Paul, and her half-siblings Lorraine Gambel and Halpin Nalty. The life of Joy will be celebrated in Alexandria, LA on Friday, December 2nd at St. Frances Cabrini Church (9:30 a.m. Visitation and 10:00 a.m. Mass). In New Orleans, the funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 3rd at St. Stephen Church (9:30 a.m. Visitation and 10:30 a.m. Mass) Interment will follow the services at Metairie Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Joy's honor to St. Stephen Church, Academy of the Sacred Heart, Louisiana Museum Foundation or Willwoods Community.

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Published by The New Orleans Advocate from Nov. 26 to Dec. 3, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Joy Hodges

25 Entries

GENE HYMEL

December 3, 2016

I WILL MISS YOU. REST IN PEACE DEAR JOY

Michele Jordan

December 2, 2016

I am going to miss you..from.room at the poydras home I use to pass there everry morning and always say your back is clean we use to laugh and smile with me..so get your rest .I miss you mrs Hodges.....rest in.heaven..

Gina

December 1, 2016

My deepest sympathy to the Hodges family for your loss. May you find comfort in the God of all comfort because he cares for you. - 1 Peter 5:6-7

a loved one

Sent Flowers

a loved one

Sent Flowers

Evelyn Hodges

November 30, 2016

Aunt Joy was an inspiration to us all, she will truly be missed. So happy to have known her. Sending a heart full of love to the whole family.

November 30, 2016

Sincere condolences to Joy's children and grandchildren. Thinking of all the really funtimes we had together. A sad loss for all.
Marilyn Banks

Sister Carla Bertani

November 30, 2016

I had the joy and the honor of knowing Mrs. Joy Hodges in Alexandria because of her association with St. Mary's Residential Training School over the years. She loved Bishop Greco's dream of giving a home and providing happiness to children with Developmental Disabilities, and was always willing to help us. When I became administrator, I could count on her for help and advise and took an active part in the project of building five new community homes in 2005.
Though unable to be there physically in Alexandria to celebrate her life, I am with her children and all friends in prayer.
She left you an excellent example of what it means to be one's brother's keeper!
Sister Carla Bertani, OLS

Rachel LaRue

November 30, 2016

A wonderful, dynamic and life loving lady---Joy will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Hodges family.

Corinne "CoCo" Cahill

November 30, 2016

Joy and Tedie Hodges Cahill, my step mother, were "across the hall" neighbors at St. Margaret's for a brief period of rehab. She was so spunky, kind, and what a sense of humor! It was a real treat to get to know her. My heartfelt condolences go out to her family during this time. Sending prayers and fond thoughts of Joy Hodges.

November 29, 2016

My thoughts and prayers are with each of you during this time of sorrow. With deepest sympathy. Martha Adams

Yvonne Drumm

November 28, 2016

Our thoughts and prayers are with Joy and her family. She was my dear friend and loved lunches on Tuesdays and living close the past year. I will miss her beautiful smile and happiness.

Nancy (Moss) Fehrenbacher

November 28, 2016

Wishing you all peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your hearts. I drove by the house when in town for the Menard Reunion in September and thought of all the fond memories with Matty, Lucy and your Mom.

Russell Villemez

November 28, 2016

Will, Philip, Mattie, Lucille,

My thoughts and prayers are with you. Your mother was one of a kind, as are each of you. Peace be with you all.

Tom Harmeyer

November 28, 2016

Joy made the world a better place. She lived joyfully (how appropriate!), gave of herself always, and never stopped challenging herself and others to be their best. I will always cherish our friendship.

Mark Senter

November 28, 2016

Will, Phillip and Mathilde:
My thoughts and prayers are with you. I will always remember your mother's stories of your dad and him swimming in the backyard.

Eleanor Beard Studio

November 28, 2016

Our sympathy to the family and friends of Mrs. Joy Nalty Hodges. We didn't have the pleasure of meeting her in person but are employees of her son Philip. We pray the Lord will wrap his arms around each one of you and may you find comfort in his loving embrace.

Jennifer Aguilar

November 27, 2016

To everyone who loved Joy,
What an appropriate name for her; so full of optimism and positivity, she truly was a Joy to be around. I knew her from Don Fields gym. We talked every morning for years about politics, horse racing, New Orleans (both of us were from New Orleans and living life in Alexandria), restaurants and any other topic that came up. She was a great lady, a true role model, and an inspiring woman. I am glad to have known her and I will surely miss her. Her family was truly blessed to have her as a mother, daughter, sister, cousin, friend. She had moxie.

Janie Charbonnet

November 27, 2016

My heart is broken for your loss! The world has lost a truly wonderful lady. She will be greatly missed. I have such fond memories of her and will cherish them always'!
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Holly, Doug, Walt and Miles Rogers

November 27, 2016

So sorry to hear about Joy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.

Mark Mathieu

November 26, 2016

From the Mathieu Family we send our condolences!

Mary DeVille

November 26, 2016

I have so many memories of Joy at Cabrini Church. My late husband, Roy DeVille, worked with her at the Museum and always thought so much of her. She was truly a gift to this community and will be deeply missed.

Rebecca Alexander

November 26, 2016

Sadly Joy has left this life, but entered Heaven with her wonderful style and personality. I'm sure my Mother (Shirley Alexander) and Fran Davis were waiting for her at the Pearly Gates so they could prepare a philanthropic event as they did so graciously here on Earth. Our loss is God's addition to His host of angels. So thankful this amazing lady crossed my path.
Rebecca Alexander

Elizabeth Kurfiss Watts

November 26, 2016

We have many fond memories of Joy. She was a devout woman of God and enjoyed always visiting with her at church after mass. Growing up, we always looked up to her. The Kurfiss family sends love and prayers to your family!

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