July 12, 1941 ~ April 26, 2023 (age 81)
James Eli Hodges, age 81, native and lifelong resident of Bulloch County, died on April 26, 2023, at Ogeechee Area Hospice Inpatient Facility surrounded by his loving family.
Jimmy was a 1959 graduate of Statesboro High School where he was class president. He continued his studies at the University of Georgia where he was an honor graduate. He was also a member and officer of Sigma Chi Fraternity and a member of Phi Kappa Phi and Beta Gamma Sigma. Jimmy was a graduate of the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University. He was well known for his leadership and involvement in many worthwhile causes of the community. He served as Chair for Statesboro-Bulloch County Chamber of Commerce , the Georgia Southern University Foundation, Bulloch Academy, Forest Heights Country Club and President of Statesboro Rotary Club.
He led fund drives for the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association. Jimmy attended Statesboro First United Method Church where he was an active member, serving on the Official Board and Finance Committee. He was a state director of the YMCA of Georgia and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and was active with the Statesboro High School Athletic Boosters. Jimmy was a member of the GSU College of Business Administration advisory board, Southern Boosters, and Ogeechee Technical College Board of Trustees. Jimmy was a long-term member of the Development Authority of Bulloch County and served as a director and vice president of the Averitt Foundation for the Arts. His business savvy earned him the honor of Business Leader of the Year in the early 1990’s.
Jimmy started his very successful career in banking in 1974 with First Bulloch Bank and Trust , serving as CEO and President, later forming the First Banking Company of Southeast Georgia. After merging with Branch Bank & Trust (now Truist), he became its City President and Senior Vice President before retiring in 2008. Jimmy served as Chairman of the Georgia Bankers Association and chaired the Community Bankers Council of the American Bankers Association. Jimmy was a Dean Day Smith Award Service to Mankind recipient and also a Dean Day Smith Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.
Jimmy was preceded in death by his wife of 43 years, Sue Stabler Hodges; his parents, Helen Lanier and Eli Hodges ; his brother, Phillip Madison Hodges; his sister, Mary Ann Hodges Green; his sister- in- law, Carolyn Blackburn Hodges. He is survived by his daughter, Sally (Ray) McKinney; his grandchildren, Ray Lynes McKinney III, Lauren Hodges McKinney and James Eli McKinney; his very special friend and beloved companion, Connie G. Averitt all of Statesboro, GA; his brother, Ray Lanier Hodges of Oldsmar, FL; his sister-in-law, Buford Brannen of Register, GA; his brothers in law, Jerry (Phyllis) Stabler of Amelia Island and Jay (Bonnie) Stabler of Mount Pleasant, SC.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Saraju Dalsania for his wonderful care for many years and especially over the last few weeks; his care givers and dear friends, Brenda Strowbridge, Peaches Johnson, Tissy Dekle and their amazing team. Visitation will be held Friday April 28, 2023, from 10:00 until 11:30am at the Statesboro First United Methodist Church. Funeral Services will be held Friday April 28,2023, at 11:30am at Statesboro First United Methodist Church with Rev. Jimmy Cason officiating.
Interment will follow in Eastside Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Edmund Brannen, John Emery Brannen, Jay Cook, Jim Davis, Bill Hatcher, Butch
Lane, John Lane and Clifford Johnson. Honorary pallbearers will be members of Statesboro High School Class of 1959 and brothers of the Statesboro Sigma Chi Alumni Association.
In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to Ogeechee Area Hospice 200 Donahoo Street Statesboro, GA 30458 and the Medical University of South Carolina Transplant Surgery 96 Jonathon Lucas St., Charleston, SC 29425.
Deal Funeral Directors of Statesboro is in charge of the arrangements.
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