Ernest “Ernie” Sidney Hodges

Ernest “Ernie” Sidney Hodges, 67, of Pfafftown, NC was welcomed home by his Savior, Jesus
Christ, on May 21st, 2024, after a sudden and unexpected worsening of his cancer. Ernie was born
on May 23, 1956, in Roanoke, VA, as the only child of Wiley Slicer Hodges and Marywillie Bower
Hodges of Troutville, VA. During his high school years, he was involved with the Boy Scouts and
was very active volunteering with the Troutville EMS and Fire Department. He trusted the Lord
as his Savior in his senior year of high school and graduated from Lord Botetourt High School in
1974. Following high school, he attended Piedmont Bible College in Winston-Salem, NC and
graduated with his Bachelor of Theology degree and later he went back to Piedmont International
University where he earned his Masters in Theology degree. After college he attended Bowman
Gray Medical School and received his Physician Assistant Certification. He was a dedicated
Physician Assistant for over 35 years; even after his official retirement in 2023 he continued to
work at Lexington Medical Center one day a week.

While at Piedmont Bible College, he met and married Iris Orsburn while they were both students.
The Lord blessed them with 3 children whom they homeschooled from kindergarten through high
school graduation. Ernie became involved in the state homeschool organization — North
Carolinians for Home Education (NCHE) — and served as a Vice President and the President at
various times. He helped organize the NCHE Athletic Commission (NCHEAC) and served as the
Athletic Director/Commissioner for many years.

Ernie loved medical missions and in the summer of 1998, he took his first team to minister in
Bolivia, South America with Placido and Toni Mercado. Over the next 25 years, he made many
trips back mainly alone, but Iris was able to go with him on his last trip in June 2023. He counted
it a privilege to serve the Lord with Placido and Toni and loved them like his “brother” and “sister”.
Ernie was preceded in death by his father, Wiley Hodges, his mother, Marywillie Bower Hodges,
all his aunts and uncles and several cousins. Ernie is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Iris,
whom he called his “favorite flower”; his daughters: Rebekah Rivera (Aron) of Yadkinville and
Tabitha Hodges of Pfafftown, NC; his son: Matthew Hodges (Alana) of Burlington, NC; nine
Grandchildren: Logan (Michelle), Ale, Aiden, Gabi, Rome, Roman, Bella and Sophia, his first
great-grandchild due this fall, and many beloved cousins. Ernie had 2 hobbies — woodworking,
which he credited all he knew to his mentor and “brother” R.A. Kube, and cheering on the Green
Bay Packers — his team since he was 11 years old. Go Pack!

Please join us for his Celebration of Life Service on Saturday, June 15th at North Point Baptist
Church in Winston-Salem, NC. Visitation will begin at 1:00 PM and the service will begin at
3:00 PM. Everyone is welcome. It will be Livestreamed.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Grace Bible Church with “missions” included as the
memo/designation. The address to mail in donations is 3904 Woodview Drive, Winston-Salem,
NC 27106. You can also make a memorial gift online at Grace Bible Church’s MyWell page.

Tributes