Ginger 'Virginia' Hamilton Hodges

GINGER “VIRGINIA" HAMILTON HODGES

Iowa City

Ginger "Virginia" Hamilton Hodges, 84, of Iowa City, Iowa, formerly of Lexington, Ky., and Monticello, Fla., passed away Feb. 16, 2022, at Solon Nursing Care Center surrounded by her loving family.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Lexington, Ky., where she and her husband Gerald Hodges, who preceded her in death in 2019, will be buried together at the Lexington Cemetery. Services will be announced when a date is decided. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to Solon Retirement Village or the animal rescue of your choice.

Ginger was born May 4, 1937, in San Antonio, Texas, the daughter of Royce and Eunice (Wilson) Hamilton. She grew up primarily in San Antonio as well as other Texas cities with military bases, depending on where her father was stationed. Ginger graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School then earned a degree from Durham Business College in San Antonio. She worked as a telephone operator and then as a receptionist at A.B. Hastings, which was owned by Johnny Cash's father-in-law, Thomas Liberto at the time she worked there.

Ginger met the love of her life, Gerald Hodges, while working at First Security Bank in Lexington. Gerald was her coworker and the couple married on Feb. 22, 1962, at Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church in Lexington, Ky., where they were members for over 35 years. During the late 70s to early 80s, Ginger belonged to a Lexington ladies' bowling league along with her much-beloved Aunt Marjie Sutton and her best friend Penny McDaniel. Their team participated in several tournaments, including the 1983 Women's International Bowling Congress Championship Tournament in Las Vegas, Nev.

Ginger worked as a secretary in the Department of Biochemistry at The University of Kentucky for 30 years, retiring in 1999. She and Gerald retired to Monticello, Fla., and enjoyed exploring nearby towns, hosting large family gatherings in their home and, most of all, being close to her family. She also volunteered for Big Bend Hospice in Monticello for several years. In 2014, they moved to Iowa City to be near their daughter and son-in-law as Gerald's health declined. They spent 57 memorable years of marriage together before he passed away in 2019.

Ginger had an adventurous spirit and, as her 80th birthday approached, she decided she needed to complete some bucket list items. She went skydiving at ages 80 and 81, then went on a hot air balloon ride at age 82. Her only regret was that she didn't get a chance to go zip lining.

Ginger made friends both young and old wherever she went thanks to her famous jokes and hilarious stories that had everyone in stitches. Moving from Florida to Iowa City at age 77 might have been intimidating for most, but Ginger embraced her new town with grace and enthusiasm, and was embraced by her many new friends in return. She was feisty, loving, strong, full of life, had a persistent positive attitude and made others feel at ease and accepted. She was a loving mother, wife, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin and friend.

The world is a better place for Ginger having been in it, and she leaves behind many family and friends who will miss her dearly. Survivors include her son, Tim Young of Atlanta, Ga.; her son, Geoff Hodges of Loveland, Ohio; a daughter, Angela Hodges (Mark Kamps) of Iowa City; grandchildren, Haley Kamps (Kevin Stibal), Elyse Kamps (Ted Collins), Griffin Hodges (Kelly Hodges), Grayson Hodges and Christiana Hodges; and two great-grandsons, Frank Kamps Stibal and August Collins. She also leaves behind her brothers, Herb Hamilton (Carolyn), Chris Hamilton (Diana Schendel), Bruce Hamilton (Jennifer) and Tex Hamilton (Melodie) a sister, Beth Burch (Barry); and a cousin, who is like a sister, Lynn Evridge (David).

Virginia was preceded in death by her husband, parents and her sister, Jackie Scharein.

She will be lovingly remembered forever by her family and friends.