Oleta Hodges was born Sallie Oleta Miller in Hubbard, Texas, on June 21, 1914 and died November 5, 2018. She was the second of seven children born to the late John Thomas and Prudence Wright Miller.

Oleta graduated from Bethel College (now Bethel University), McKenzie, Tennessee in 1938. There she majored in English and minored in Education. She received her M. Ed in 1961 from Stephen F. Austin College in Nacogdoches, Texas. She received additional training as a reading specialist at Ft. Hays State College in Kansas.

Oleta was a teacher, mother, counselor, minister's wife, Sunday School teacher, choir member, youth director, mentor, president of women's groups and a counselor in church youth camps.  She was an active member of Delta Kappa Gamma, AARP, NRTA and AAUW. She also served as a Red Cross volunteer in the VA hospital in McKinney, Tx in 1950. She taught public school in Texas, Kansas and Missouri, retiring in 1976.

Oleta was married to the Rev. Mr. Finis G. Hodges almost 43 years when he died in 1984.  After he died, Oleta became a tutor for an adult reading program.  She later served as Director of the Adult Reading Program in Nocona, Texas for seven years. When she moved to Denton in 1991, she began tutoring English and Reading at Phoenix Apartments and, also, at ACME Brick Company. She taught Spanish speaking adults to read and tutored some of them through the GED program. She continued this work until failing eyesight brought about her retirement at the age of 88.

Oleta and her husband served churches in the Cumberland Presbyterian Denomination after Seminary.  When approached during WWII to serve churches in the current Presbyterian Church, USA, they changed their membership. In 1997, Oleta "came home" to her roots and joined the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Denton, TX. She remained an active member and attended services as recently as Easter this year.

Oleta and Finis had two children: Linda Ruth Hodges Nelson (wife of the Rev. Dr. Ralph Nelson of Helena, MT) and Loreta Jean Hodges Burch (wife of Mr. Charles E. Burch of Denton, Texas). Oleta leaves behind three grandchildren (Edward, Elisa and Gretchen), numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.  One grandson, Eric, greeted her in heaven.

A Service of Praise and Thanksgiving will be held on November 10, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1424 Stuart Rd., Denton, TX.

Memorials may be sent to: Bethel University, c/o Heather Megaw, 325 Cherry Ave., McKenzie, TN 38201.