Mr. Roger Joe Hodge, Sr., was born on February 19, 1972 to Lula Mae Knight of Camilla, Georgia and the late James Hodge of Camilla, Georgia. He departed this life on Tuesday, April 14, 2020 at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital.  He was a resident of Baconton, Georgia.

On September 24, 2016, he was joined in holy matrimony to Audrey L. Wallace. He soon joined the St. James Missionary Baptist Church of Baconton, Georgia where he was a devoted member.

In 1990, he graduated from Mitchell-Baker High School in Camilla, Ga. Upon graduation, he became a veteran of the United States Army for 8 years and the Army Reserve for 6 years.  He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Administration and Ethics from Mid-America Christian University in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on June 15, 2015.

He worked for the Department of Corrections for over 22 years. He began his career as a correctional officer at the Autry State Prison in Pelham, Georgia where he received many accolades for his hard work.  Although his job was demanding and required many long hours of work, he was known for his dedication to duty and his caring heart for all.  He saw an opportunity for advancement and so he applied.  On June 1, 2019, he was promoted to Deputy Warden of Security at Calhoun State Prison in Morgan, Georgia.

"Big Hodge" as he was known, was loved by many because he had such a big heart. He was a dedicated member of Mitchell-Baker High School Class of 1990.  They were an active group of graduates and always enjoyed each other's company. His favorite restaurant was El Vaquero Mexican Restaurant where he was affectionately known by the staff there as "Richie".  His favorite NFL team was the Atlanta Falcons.

He leaves to cherish his memory a beautiful and devoted wife Audrey W. Hodge of almost 4 years.

Children: Courtney Hodge, Roger J. Hodge, Jr., Camilla, Georgia, and Ebonie (Nakeem) Evans of Texas, Terrance Frazier, Sr., and stepson Adrian Gardner of Portsmouth, VA

Grandchildren: Destiny Hayward, Gabrielle Hayward, and Kristen Hayward, Terrance Frazier, Jr. , Major and Tariyah Frazier, all of Camilla, Georgia; Levi Conners and Nyla Gardner of Atlanta, Georgia.

Siblings: Angela (William) Key, Camilla, Georgia, Michael Knight, Albany, Georgia, Lataurus Swan, Camilla, Georgia, Kevin Hodge, Albany, Georgia, Patrick Hodge, Albany, Georgia, Nicholas Hodge, Camilla, Georgia, Daniel Taylor, Albany, Georgia, Allison Brown, Camilla, Georgia, and Timothy Knight (Deceased) and Stephen Knight (Deceased).

Aunts and Uncles:  Robert (Shelia) Hodge, Baconton, Ga., Marlene Hayward (Deceased), Frank K. Davis (Deceased), Robert Williams, Jr. (Deceased), Pearl Session (Deceased), Ella D. Williams, Camilla, Ga., Freddie (Teresa) Williams, Sr., Camilla, Ga., Jeanette Williams, Douglasville, Ga., Ronnie Williams (Deceased), Stephone Williams, Miami, FL, Sholanda W. (Chester) Smith, Thomasville, Ga., Annie (Charles) Smith, Pelham, Ga., Wayne (Rosa)  Williams, Pelham, Ga., Anthony (Alisha) Williams, Sr., Thomasville, Ga., Willie Frank (Tomeika) Davis, Jr., Americus, Ga., Charlotte (Darryl) Thomas, Albany, Ga., Jaquelyn Arnold, Ellenwood, Ga.

Brothers-in-Law: Emmett (Elizabeth) Williams, Johnny (Betty) Jackson all of Baconton, Georgia, Steve Wallace and sister-in-law, Linda D. Oliver all of Albany, Georgia.

He had a special bond with his best friends throughout his life, Ricky Vicks of Albany, Georgia and Marla P. Jones of Hanoi, Vietnam.

Host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other dear friends and his beloved Class of 1990.