Thomas Samuel "Toby" Hodges, Jr.

Thomas S. Hodges, Jr Thomas (Toby) S. Hodges, Jr, age 92, of Columbus, MS passed away Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at the MS Veterans Home in Kosciusko, MS. Visitation will be Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 12:30 p.m. at Woodland Baptist Church in Columbus. Followed by a funeral service at 1:30 p.m. with Rev. Kevin Jenkins officiating, internment with U.S. Army Honors will follow at Vaughn Cemetery in Steens, MS.

Mr. Hodges was born September 11, 1933, in Kolola Springs, MS to the late Thomas S. Hodges, Sr and Ellen Chappell Hodges. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, JoAnn Sizemore Hodges; son Butch Hodges; sisters Rebecca Roach (Al), Helen Atkins (Roy), Dorothy Hodges; and brother Jim Hodges (Hazel). He is survived by his daughter, Diane Atwood (David) of Katy, TX and grandson, Sean Hodges of Columbus, MS and his 3 great grandchildren, along with several nieces and nephews. Toby lived a life marked by faith, service, and dedication to his church, community and country. He proudly served in the US Army during the Korean War, stationed in the Philippines, where he worked as a Morse Code Interceptor. Following his military service, he worked for Hooker Chemical for more than 35 years. He also owned Tweety Bird Mini Storage. He was a devoted member and deacon of Antioch Baptist Church and deacon and founding member of Woodland Baptist Church. Toby loved to work in his garden and hunt on his family property. Sometimes he just liked to watch the deer and turkeys graze in the field.

Pallbearers will be the deacons of Woodland Baptist Church. Honorary pallbearers will be the Men’s Sunday School Class of Woodland Baptist Church. Special thanks to the care team at MS Veterans Home in Kosciusko, MS as well as Quality Hospice Care. Memorials can be made to American Macular Degeneration Foundation, Gideons International (bibles) or Woodland Baptist Church.