Patti Lynn Hodges

Patti Lynn Hodges, cherished wife, mother, daughter, grandmother, sister, and friend, peacefully returned to God on June 26, 2025. Born on June 3, 1957, in El Campo, Texas, Patti was a lifelong resident of the community she loved. Her life reflected deep love, faithful service, and unwavering devotion to her family, friends, and students.
Patti was the daughter of Willard & LaVonne Bergstrom. She graduated from El Campo High School in 1975, where she was a Derby Doll on the Dance Team. After high school, Patti went on to earn a Bachelor of Science from The University of Houston and a Master of Education from Prairie View A&M University.
On July 31, 1976, she married the love of her life, Billy Hodges, and together they built a family and a life filled with love and joy. Patti was the proud mother of Tara Hodges of El Campo, Texas, and Heather Hodges Dybala (Jared) of Frisco, Texas, and the loving grandmother of Scarlett & Vivienne Dybala. Patti's family was everything to her, and she cherished every moment spent with them.
Patti dedicated many years of her life to serving others through her work as a high school biology and chemistry teacher and guidance counselor. Known for her boundless energy and unwavering support, she touched the lives of countless students, whom she mentored through both academic challenges and personal growth. To her students and co-workers, Patti was simply "the best teacher ever."
Her love for helping others extended beyond the classroom, as she volunteered in the Methodist Youth Fellowship and served as secretary for Patriots and Heroes Outdoors. Patti grew up in and raised her children in the Methodist Church in El Campo, where she was actively involved in many church activities including the Emmaus community and spent time chaperoning church camps and events for MYF. Most recently, she attended First Baptist Church of El Campo.
Known for her signature smile, sweet voice, kindness, and unwavering positivity, Patti was a fiery redhead who was affectionately known as "Red" by her husband, Billy. Together, they were lovingly referred to as "Billy and Red." Her grandchildren also called her "MeMe Red." Patti's servant's heart and desire to make everyone feel welcome and cared for was evident in everything she did. Her generosity, warmth, and genuine care for others made her a beacon of light to all who knew her.
Patti was also an avid traveler, taking multiple trips to Europe and enjoying Alaskan cruises with friends. She loved spending time with her family, often going on road trips to places like Florida, Colorado, and the Gulf Coast where she enjoyed fishing with Billy. She cherished her time spent with friends, whether on shopping excursions or enjoying Zumba classes and long walks together. Holidays were a special time for Patti. Growing up she spent this time with her parents, sisters and many cousins whom she loved so much. She was known for her festive spirit and dedication to making Christmas and birthdays unforgettable for her loved ones. Her girls remember their "magical" childhood memories as nonstop slumber parties, swimming and their mom's endless supply of snacks, which brought comfort and joy to everyone who gathered in their home.
She is survived by her husband, Billy Hodges; her children, Tara Hodges and Heather Hodges Dybala (Jared); her granddaughters, Scarlett & Vivienne Dybala; her father, Willard Bergstrom; her sisters, Vanessa Kunefke (Leonard) and Bonnie Walker (Mike); her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, David & DeAnne Hodges, Barry & Sherry Hodges, and Greg Hodges; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members who loved her dearly.
Patti was preceded in death by her beloved mother, LaVonne Nygard Bergstrom.
A service celebrating Patti's life will be held at First Methodist Church in El Campo, on Tuesday, July 01, 2025 at 2:00 PM. The family will hold a visitation one hour prior to the funeral at 1:00 PM at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Patti's honor to the Alzheimer's Association, Houston Hospice or Patriots and Heroes Outdoors, three causes that were near and dear to her heart.
Honorary Pallbearers are her nieces and nephews: Brent Kunefke, Kristin Irish, Dylan Walker, Mallory Walker, Matt Hodges, Lori Hodges, Blake Hodges, Brian Hodges, Blair Fletcher, Jes Stautzenberger, and Tammy Gonzales, along with their spouses and many great-nieces and great-nephews.
Patti's legacy of love, kindness, and service to others will live on in the countless lives she touched. She will be deeply missed, but her memory will be cherished forever.