Gertrude T Hodges

GERTRUDE THERESA HODGES (NEE JONES) was born on August 3, 1936 in Hamptonburgh, New York to James and Elizabeth Jones. “Trudy,” as she was affectionately known, was the youngest of four children. She grew up on a working farm in Campbell Hall, where she learned the value of hard work and self-reliance, as well as how to drive a tractor thanks to her brother. Trudy and her siblings were educated in a one room schoolhouse and were active members of the Hamptonburgh Presbyterian Church. She knew from an early age that she was destined to become a nurse, being the namesake of two aunts who were nurses. Even though her high school counselor questioned her choice, Trudy wrote to Johns Hopkins to ask whether or not they accepted Colored students. In 1959, she became the first graduate of the Johns Hopkins Hospital Training School for Nurses with the strong support of her family, especially her eldest brother who sent her money regularly. Her strength, perseverance, and ability to hold herself to a high standard carried her through the experience of being singular at Hopkins. After graduation, Trudy began her teaching career at Hopkins. Providing high quality nursing education became a foundational purpose and her life’s work. She went on to graduate from Columbia Teachers College and earned her Master’s in nursing from New York University before returning to Baltimore to teach at St. Agnes. In 1966, she joined the faculty of the Community College of Baltimore, was promoted to Associate Professor in 1970, and swiftly went on to become Chair of the Nursing Department just two years later. She played an instrumental role in the growth of CCB’s nursing program and the construction of the nursing training facility, an iconic building still in use today. She also served as Chair of the Maryland State Board of Nursing Examiners for many years. As a practicing nurse, Trudy worked in hospitals all over the city including Provident, Bon Secours, Mercy, St. Agnes and Hopkins. It was while working at Bon Secours that she met the love of her life, James E. Hodges, Jr., thanks to an introduction by their mutual friend, Tyson Tilden. Trudy and James enjoyed thirty-three years of married life until he joined the ancestors in 1998. Obituary Obituary She was a long-time member of Chi Eta Phi, the nursing honors sorority, and in 2009 received the Johns Hopkins University Distinguished Alumna award. After she retired in 1997, she volunteered dedicatedly with the Parent And Community Advisory Board with the Baltimore City Public Schools and the Dunbar High School nursing program. Trudy was a devoted wife, mother, sister, daughter and grandmother, always finding time for family and friends. A patron of the arts, avid reader, world traveler, and bon vivant, Trudy’s laugh was infectious and frequent. She loved sharing these interests with her grandchildren and nurtured their cultural development. Trudy always held steadfast to her faith, and served the Trinity Presbyterian Church family as an Elder, Trustee, Presbyterian Women Committee member, Investment/Endowment Fund member, taught Sunday School, member of the fortieth, forty-fifth and fiftieth Anniversary Celebrations Committees. Trudy consistently served Trinity and the Presbytery, demonstrating leadership, investing personal time and effort, evidencing an ability to engage others and the congregation, making a difference in Trinity’s realization of its vision and mission. She peacefully departed this life on March 28, 2025. Trudy leaves to mourn: her son, Victor Hodges; daughter, Lisa R. (Sean) Hodges-Hiken; stepson, James; grandchildren, Phillip, Katie, Vivian and Veronica; nieces, Sharyn Jones-Wagner, Susan Jones and Lois White; nephews, James and Leslie Mann; cousins, Sharlyn Njie and Yvonne Shaw-Bentiglio; and a host of friends, colleagues, former students, neighbors and church family.

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Gertrude T Hodges

August 3, 1936 - March 28, 2025