Rickey Lynn Hodum

After many years devoted to the land, his family, and helping the people of his community-and following a brief illness he fought so bravely-our Lord and Savior called our dear brother in Christ, Mr. Rickey Lynn Hodum, home to his eternal rest on Thursday morning, October 16, 2025, in the comfort of his home in Tippah County. Funeral services honoring Mr. Rickey's well-lived life will be at 2 PM Saturday, October 18, 2025, in the Heritage Chapel of the Ripley Funeral Home, with pastor and close friend, Bro. Cory Holley, offering words of comfort, and lifelong friend, Bro. Doc Shelton, sharing personal reflections. Visitation will be from 11 AM until 2 PM on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Golden Hill Cemetery, with a graveside prayer of committal. Born on March 31, 1963, in Tippah County, Mr. Rickey was the beloved son of Mrs. Margaret Glissen Hodum and the late J. W. Hodum. A proud graduate of Falkner High School, he continued his education at Northeast Mississippi Community College and Mississippi State University. Marrying his beloved wife on September 17, 1996, Whitney Owen Hodum, Mr. Rickey followed in his father's footsteps, establishing his own logging business, LDL, Incorporated, in 1997. Through years of dedicated work and integrity, he built a respected name within the forestry and logging industry. Those who worked alongside him will remember him as a man of his word-honest, fair, and hardworking-someone who treated every job and every acre of land as though it were his own. Rickey's work was more than a livelihood; it was a calling. He was a wonderful steward of God's creation, finding purpose in caring for the land and gratitude in seeing the fruits of his labor. He carried a deep respect for nature and the people around him, and his quiet strength and steady work ethic earned him the admiration of everyone who knew him. A faithful Christian, Mr. Rickey was a devoted member of Wheeler Grove Baptist Church, where he served willingly and humbly, filling any role that needed to be done. Whether lending a helping hand, offering words of encouragement, or quietly working behind the scenes, he lived out his faith with sincerity and kindness. When time allowed, Mr. Rickey loved the great outdoors. He was an avid hunter who looked forward to deer and turkey season, and he found peace in casting a line on quiet waters. These were the simple pleasures that reflected his love for God's handiwork and the world around him. Though his work and church were great sources of pride, nothing compared to the love he held for his family. He was a devoted husband, father, son, brother, and friend-always dependable, always present. He was his children's biggest supporter, never missing a ballgame or event, cheering them on with the same passion and joy that he carried in every part of his life. Above all else, Rickey's life was a testament to faith, family, hard work, and humility. His legacy will live on in the hearts of those he loved and the land he so faithfully cared for. "Well done, thou good and faithful servant enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." - Matthew 25:21 (KJV) In addition to his wife of twenty-nine years, Mrs. Whitney Hodum, Mr. Rickey's legacy continues to live on through his two daughters, Marlee Little (Jon), and Morgan Hodum, one son, Rick Hodum, his mother, Margaret Hodum, one sister, Cynthia Settlemires (Steve), two brothers, Greg Hodum and Johnny Hodum, sister in law, Jackie Hill (Bradley), and brother in law, Michael Owen (Mandy), along with a wide circle of family and friends. The family request that in Rickey's memory, donations be directed to Wheeler Grove Baptist Church's Youth Program, attention Bro. Cory at 1-662-415-2149. Ripley Funeral Home invites you to share memories with Mr. Rickey's family. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Rickey Lynn Hodum, please visit our floral store.