Ira Franklin (Joe) Hodge

Mr. Ira Franklin (Joe) Hodge, 67, of Cleveland, died Saturday at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem. Born in Rowan County on January 19, 1950, he was a son of the late Ira Hodge and Connie Warren Hodge.  Mr. Hodge was a retired truck driver and dairy farmer and was a member of Cleveland First Baptist Church. He enjoyed truck driving, farming and especially enjoyed his friends. Survivors include a son, Joe Gregory Hodge of Cleveland, a daughter, Mary Alisha Hodge of Rockwell, his former wife, Teresa Messick also of Rockwell, along with sisters: Irene Miller (Richard Cooley) of Mt. Ulla, Peggy Cashion of Cleveland, Ruth Mullis (Graham) of Troutman, Sue Overman (Dwight) of Salisbury, Connie Fero (Bob) of Cleveland and Shelia Lyerly (Terry) also of Cleveland. Also surviving is a brother, Charlie Hodge(Darvia) of Salisbury along with several nieces and nephews. Funeral services are scheduled for 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, March 1, 2017 at Cleveland First Baptist Church with Pastor Kestler Ruth and Rev. Michael Rakes officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery and the family will then receive friends in the church fellowship hall. Condolences may be sent online to the family to www.nicholsonfunerals.com .  Nicholson Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangemenets.