Mary Butler Hodnette

Mary Elizabeth Butler Hodnette, age 97, died on July 22, 2024. Mary was born on December 25, 1926. She was pre deceased by her husband Lovic Pierce Hodnette Jr, parents Mary and Burton Butler and brother Edward Baskin Butler.
Survivors include her sister Kathryn Butler Jeffers of Birmingham, AL. Her three children, Lovic Pierce Hodnette Ill (Cindy), Anne Hodnette Watson and Elizabeth (Beth) Hodnette Partlow (Neil), her seven grandchildren Grace Bailey Partlow Chambers (Porter) of Tuscaloosa, Kevin Partlow (Molly) of Florence, AL; Joseph Hodnette (Polina) of Chicago, IL; John Hodnette (Mya) of Charlotte, NC; Andrew Hodnette (Grace) of Chattanooga, TN; Carolyn Watson Krause of Vail, AZ; Alex Watson (Anine) of Houston, TX. Eight great grandchildren, Maryanne Partlow, Kevin C. Partlow Jr (Neil), Margaret Elizabeth Partlow, Kaydence Krause, Keegan Krause, Cooper Krause, William Chambers and Pierce Chambers.
Mary was born in Mobile, AL and was fortunate to have lived in Ashland Place, an early development built on the ruins of the writer Augusta Evans Wilson's estate. It was a peaceful era for children. After graduating from Murphy High School she attended St. Mary's Jr College and the University of Alabama where she was a member of the Kappa Delta Sorority.
In 1951 she married Lt. Pierce Hodnette, freshly graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and transferred to the U.S. Air Force. Mary left coastal living and Mardi Gras in Mobile behind and became an Air Force wife stationed in the Arizona desert. Mary, Pierce and the family moved 17 times. She was always upbeat and took great care of her family during these times. She adapted well in foreign assignments, making friends with local neighbors and fitting in.
Mary especially enjoyed the years of their NATO assignment where it was interesting to have friends and experiences in foreign countries. There were tours in Japan, France, twice in England and Norway. In Oslo, Norway they were fortunate to have the astronaut Bill Anders of the Apollo 8 space flight as our ambassador and their neighbor.
After Major General Hodnette died in Belgium Mary settled in Tuscaloosa, AL., to be near Grace and Pierce, Sr. and the University of Alabama. It was a happy choice. Mary travelled with friends, flying on one of the final flights of the Concord and an early cruise on the Queen Elizabeth.
Mary was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and Circle 3, Junior League, Up to Date Study Club (retired) and several luncheon and dance clubs.
Mary greatly valued education, and generously helped her grandchildren with college expenses. She had close and endearing relationships with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
In later years Mary became deaf and was very appreciative of the University of Alabama Speech and Hearing Center for helping her continue her pleasant life.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 11:00AM in the Chapel at The First Presbyterian Church, 900 Greensboro Ave., Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to The First Presbyterian Church or to a charity of ones choice.