Obituary: Barbara Ann (Gilstrap) Hodges

February 9, 2005 – September 17, 1928

Barbara Ann (Gilstrap) Hodges, of Bedford, died on Sunday, February 9, 2025, at 96.

She was born September 17, 1928, to Lester and Grace (Mathis) Gilstrap. She was predeceased by her loving husband of 72 years, John Russell Hodges, infant daughter Beth Ann, and infant great-grandson Enoch Hodges.

Her three adult children survive her: Bill (Amy) of Lafayette, Karen (Kevin) Ohrenberger of Hillsborough, North Carolina, and Pamela (Brent) Crum of Avon. She is also survived by her devoted sister, Myra Lou Gilstrap, as well as eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

Barbara grew up in Tunnelton, graduated from high school there in 1947, and lived there until she was married at 23. She had fond memories of her friends and school and remembered playing alongside the train tracks and around the infamous tunnel as a child.

After high school, Barbara worked at Reliance Manufacturing Company/M. Fine & Sons (also known as ‘the shirt factory’) until her marriage in 1951. She made pockets for men’s pants at the factory and was paid by the piece. She often told of how she could make thirteen hours’ worth of pockets in eight hours.

Barbara was mainly a stay-at-home mom, but many people in the Bedford area will remember her from when she sold apples each fall at the Feldun-Purdue Ag Center where she lived. She loved talking to people, and her work at the apple shed allowed her to connect with new people and friends from her past. The work was physically demanding, but she enjoyed her time spent there. She also worked hard in the vegetable garden every summer and canned or froze countless jars and bags of vegetables and fruit over the years, as well as making her famous apple butter.

She was a long-time member of the Central Church of Christ. She often carried food she had prepared for grieving families, potlucks, and celebrations. Her kids and grandkids knew homemade cookies would always be in the freezer, and she tried to prepare your favorite dessert if she knew you were visiting. She enjoyed playing cards and watching sports, especially Purdue basketball. Barbara was a loving mother, sister, friend, and faithful wife. She will be greatly missed.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 17th, in the Elmwood Chapel of the Day & Carter Mortuary with Bro. Rick Leach officiating. Private committal in Pinhook Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the hour of service on Monday at the Day & Carter Mortuary.

Family and friends may express condolences at www.daycarter.com.