JOANNE ELEANOR HODGE GREER

Our beautiful and beloved Joanne Eleanor Hodge Greer of Southern Pines, North Carolina, passed away on Saturday, June 15, 2024. Full of love, kindness and resilience, Joanne positively impacted the lives of all who knew her.

Joanne was born on Aug. 22, 1950, in Sumter to the late Mayor William M. Hodge Sr. and Reona Christensen Hodge. She graduated from Edmunds High School in 1969, where she was the president of the Candy Striper Club. She always held Sumter close to her heart. She was proud to tell others where she grew up and always loved returning to see her family. Joanne then attended Mars Hill College and graduated from the Atlanta Certified Nursing Assistant Program. After graduation, she worked as a medical assistant in several doctors’ offices in Atlanta, Georgia, and Columbia. In her free time, Joanne was a runway model with the Millie Lewis modeling agency, where she won several runway awards. Later in life, she was a federal career employee for the U.S. Army. During her 10 years as a federal employee, she received several awards for her dedication and commitment to her work. Her colleagues remarked how she always was “helpful” and “upbeat” throughout the work day.

Joanne was the heart of the home she created with her soulmate of 48 years, John. Together, they raised two wonderful children, Joanna Louise Greer Koch (43) and John Hicks Greer Jr. (41), in a happy and loving Christian home. Joanne was a devoted mother who was always available to offer support, wisdom and love in abundance to her two kids. She found joy in serving as an elementary school room parent, Sunday school teacher, church choir member and Garden Club member. Later, as Grandma to Colin (5) and Caroline (3), Joanne was adored by her grandkids, who always loved “going to Grandma’s” to play outside, have tea parties and snuggle while reading a favorite story.

Joanne is survived by her loving husband, Lt. Col. John Hicks Greer Sr., U.S. Army (retired) (Southern Pines, North Carolina); son, John Hicks Greer Jr. (Huntsville, Alabama); daughter, Dr. Joanna Greer Koch; son-in-law, Dr. Darren Gregory Koch; and two grandchildren, Colin Greer Koch and Caroline Anna Koch (all of Cary, North Carolina); six siblings, William Miles Hodge Jr. (Sumter); Patricia Hodge Croft (Sumter); Lawrence Thomas Hodge (Hilton Head Island); Joel Padgett Hodge (Sumter); Katherine Hodge Bledsoe (Sumter); Eva Marie Hodge Reynolds (Pinewood); as well as several cousins, nieces and nephews. Her family will always remember Joanne for her kind demeanor, genuine positivity and love of life.

To commemorate her remarkable life and love, a private burial will occur prior to a memorial service at Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery.

A memorial service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday with the Rev. Dr. Stephen Williams and the Rev. John Wesley Culp at Grace Baptist Church, 219 W. Calhoun St., Sumter.

After the service, the family will receive friends in the church parlor. Memorials may be sent to a charity of one’s choice.

Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of the arrangements, (803) 775-9386.