TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa community is mourning the loss of human rights award winner Ruth Hodges.
The missionary and educator, known to many in East Tampa as "Mother Hodges," died at the age of 97.
Ruth Hodges was born in 1926 in New York City and grew up during the Harlem Renaissance era.
After stops in Washington D.C., Connecticut, and Arkansas she would eventually call East Tampa home.
Ruth Hodges was born in 1926 in New York City and grew up during the Harlem Renaissance era.
After stops in Washington D.C., Connecticut, and Arkansas she would eventually call East Tampa home.
She was called ‘"Mother Hodges" by the community and the countless number of students she tutored or taught piano.
Former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn says the community "has lost a true servant and icon."
“Mother Hodges always did the right things for the right reasons and never asked for anything in return other than the opportunity to do it again everyday,” he said.
Hodges reached more communities globally through her missionary work.
She met her adopted son, Keto Nord, in Haiti.
He was a burn victim who was in need of medical care.
“Had she not brought me here for life-saving burn treatment at Shriners Hospital for Children in Cincinnati, Ohio, I would’ve died,” said Nord.
Hodges dedicated more than 40 years of her life to Haiti, helping to build churches, schools and orphanages. Hodges, who was also fluent in Creole, served as a translator and taught the youth English. She sponsored more than 30 Haitian students, and some now live and work in the U.S.
“She was like Mother Teresa," said Nord. “She was well loved in Haiti. Even presidents of Haiti knew her, because she was known as a hard worker.”
Hodges completed more than 55 mission trips.
During her last trip to Haiti in 2010, an earthquake shook the nation’s capital.
In 2021, she spoke with Spectrum News about being on the ground during the event that claimed more than 200,000 lives.
“The missionaries are the ones that saved thousands. After the earthquake, we set up clinics out in the streets and we set up tent cities,” she said.
Her adopted son said she was formidable.
“She never worried about her own personal safety, because she knew God would take care of her because she was doing his work,” said Nord. “She had no fear about her ever, even sometimes when guns were pointed in her face overseas.”
Hodges was given an award by the Tampa-Hillsborough County Human Rights Council for her activism and for improving the lives of others.
“Mom loved everyone, it didn’t matter who you were, what you looked like, where you were from — she was going to show God’s love to you,” Nord said.
Her son said through love, she brought out the best in everyone she met.
It’s a calling she answered, and some say her life’s legacy has fulfilled.
Sept. 21 would have been Hodges’ 98th birthday.
A memorial service for Hodges is set for October.