Timothy Thomas Jeremiah Hodge

Hodge, Timothy Thomas Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end. On July 21, 1960, in the city of Chicago, Ill., the late Tommie and Bertha Sue Hodge were blessed with a precious little boy that they named Timothy Thomas Hodge. Timothy departed this life after an amazing 11-year journey and transitioned into eternal rest Jan. 10, 2011. "Timmy," as he was called, was raised in the small country town of Hopkins Park, Ill. He took great pride in the loving home that he grew up in. He worked on his dad's farm and the family-owned towing business throughout his youth. He moved to Freeport, Ill., in February 1993, when he gave his life to Christ and became a member of St. James C.M.E. Church. He was united in Holy Matrimony to Mary Coffee on July 4, 1993. Tim was employed by Thermos Manufacturing Company, and he ran his own lawn care service and salvage business until his accident Dec. 4, 1999. Although doctors didn't expect him to live, God sustained him. Through faithfulness, family and friends from St. James C.M.E. Church and the Freeport community held him up with prayers and tangible love. Caring staff at Freeport Rehabilitation Center (August 2000 to November 2008) and Robbinsdale Rehabilitation Center (November 2008 to January 2011) assisted him in his 11-year voyage. God always has a purpose for sustaining life and during this time there were many miracles that were wrought in the life of Tim Hodge. His amazing story witnessed to the magnificence of God and what He's able to do. "Is there anything too hard for God?" His wife would often say, "There is nothing that is too hard for God because God is the creator of all things, especially life." He leaves to cherish his wife of 17 years, Mary Margaret Hodge; three children: Tiffany Hodges, Chisa Hodges, Zeqwandra Brown; three stepchildren: Francis Sanders, Pastor David (Priscilla) Coffee, Lynnette (Myron) Medcalf, all of Minnesota; as well as 15 grandchildren who reside in Minnesota and one grandchild from Freeport, Ill.; 16 siblings: Tommie (Marion) Hodge of New Orleans, La.; Benny Gilmore of Chicago, Ill.; Walter Hodge of Fort Huron, Mich.; Robert Young of Oak Park, Mich.; Jerry Hodge of Flint, Mich.; William (Rose) Most of Manteno, Ill.; Mark Hodge of Mira Loma, Calif.; Roderic Hodge of Hopkins Park, Ill.; Edith Pearl Chapman of Hazelhurst, Miss.; Ann Byrd of Raleigh, N.C.; Vilma Jones of Charlotte, N.C.; Donna (Earl) Ward of Hopkins Park, Ill.; Janice (David) Boucher of Barbonas, Ill.; Tommy Cynthia Hodge of Los Angeles, Calif.; Sharon (Willie) Griffin of Joliet, Ill.; Theresa Hodge White of Hopkins Park, Ill., and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. He is preceded in death by his father Tommie Clarence and mother Bertha Sue Hodge; son, David Hodge; brothers, Walter Hodge, Charles Gilmore and Jimmy Hodge; and sisters, Victoria Hodge, Shirley Galloway, Beatrice Gilmore and Belinda Woods. Homegoing services for Timothy Thomas Hodge will be held at The Holy Christian Cathedral located at 125 Stevens St. W., St. Paul, MN, 55107. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the service begins at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 17, 2011. Kessler & Maguire Funeral Home, 640 W. 7th Street, St. Paul, MN, 55102.