Barbara Jean Hodge

Barbara Jean (Taff) Hodge, 73, of Hattiesburg, passed away at her home on October 22, 2025. Born February 13, 1952, in Mobile, Ala., Barbara married the love of her life, Roland, on June 21, 1968, in Wayne County, Miss. They moved to Kosciusko, Miss. the following year where Barbara graduated from Kosciusko High School in 1970. Barbara worked several part-time jobs, including at McRae's Department Store, but her primary role was as home maker and mother. She was a member of Freedom Worship Center (formerly Purvis Church of God) for more than 35 years.
Barbara is preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Wendell Roland Hodge; her parents, James Thomas and Willie Alma (Parker) Taff; a brother, James Darrell Taff; and a sister, Marilyn Rose Powell. She is survived by two children: Wendell Joshua Hodge of Hattiesburg and Crystal Walker (Tye) of Wiggins; two grandchildren, Braxton Stallard (Sarah) and Chelsea Stallard; three sisters, Cynthia Abigail Pennington (Dennis) of Mobile, Shirley Ann Sutterfield (Bobby) of Chickasaw, Ala., and Rhonda Joyce Taff of Wilmer, Ala.; and numerous nephews and nieces.
Visitation will be Friday, October 24 at Forrest Funeral Home from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. An additional visitation will be Saturday, October 25 at 11:00 am with service to follow at 12:00 pm in Forrest Chapel. Burial will take place at Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery in Jones County.