Everett Hodges

It was a warm, bright November 24, 2002 morning when Everett Hodges peacefully passed away at his home with Bettye, his wife, by his side. Born Lucian Everett Hodges, Jr. on July 16, 1928, to Lucian and Marjorie Hodges in Durant, OK, Everett began a life with a passion for people and the grocery business that followed him throughout his life. On April 9, 1950, Everett married Bettye Ruth Mason at 1101 Merchant at the home of Bettyes brother, Bennie Mason in Artesia, New Mexico. In April 2000, Everett and Bettye celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, surrounded by their children and grandchildren. Everett was the proud father of five children, Jerry, Ann, Sue, Janie and Robert. Everett was the overly proud grandfather to seven grandchildren whom he loved dearly and they him. Dedicated to the grocery business since age fifteen, Everett began working for Piggly Wiggly in Denison, Texas as a sack boy. He arrived in Artesia in 1949, and worked at the former Safeway store, which now houses the Artesia Racquet Club. He fell in love with Bettye Mason, married her and moved to Carlsbad where he worked at the mines. Everett and Bettye moved back to Artesia and bought the Bi-Rite Superette at 2nd and Chisum. Soon after that, Everett purchased and converted the McCaw Hatchery at 13th and Grand to the Bi-Rite Superette 2, which is now the Bulldog Superette. Within a years time, Bi-Rite Superette 1 suffered a fire and the Bi-Rite Superette 2 was lost due to untimely road construction. Everett also had a store across from Roselawn Elementary. When he felt it was time to move on, Everett moved his family to Roswell and purchased a store on North Main, the Thrifty across the street from the Frontier Restaurant. After several years of doing business in Roswell, Everett accepted a management position with the Southland Corporation, managing seven convenience stores for them in El Paso. Artesia called him back, so he moved his family back and took a job at the Allsups store at 20th and Main before hooking up with Johnny Gray and Mack Chase who at the time owned four Little Giant stores. The Little Giant 1 on North 13th now Shop N Go, Little Giant 2 at 1st and Hermosa at the Hermosa Shopping Center, Little Giant 3 on South 13th Street now a day care center and the Little Giant 4 at 26th and Main now JoBos Antiques. Everett purchased all four stores in 1985. Everett also bought the A.C. Liquor Store at 13th and Main and the Sands Motel at 1st and Hermosa. Later he sold A.C. Liquor, sold the 1, closed the 3 and moved locations and rebuilt the 4 at 26th and Main and the 2 at 1st and Hermosa. Everett and his family ran the 2 and 4 for seventeen years, selling them earlier this year to Brewer Oil. Everett was employer, mentor and friend to many, many people along his journey. It is safe to say that most of those people learned valuable lessons from Everett, as he was a dedicated man with a high standard for what it took to run a successful business. Through the years, many of those employees have kept in touch with Everett and never failed to ask a family member, Hows Everett He will surely be missed in the community and in the grocery industry. An avid sports fan, Everett faithfully supported the Bulldogs in any way he could. It is probably fair to say he didnt miss a Bulldog game, whether it was by attending the game or listening to the Bulldogs on the radio. He was a graduate of Denison High School in Denison, Texas and later went on to earn an Associates Degree from ENMU-Roswell. He was a past president of the Valley Lions Club, Affiliated Grocers Association, New Mexico Grocers Association and the Bulldog Quarterback Club. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Artesia, New Mexico. He is survived by his wife Bettye, at home. He is also survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Jerry and Mary Hodges of Gunnison, Colorado; his daughter and son-in-law, Ann and Virgel Jacquess of Roswell, New Mexico; his daughter and son-in-law, Sue and Keith Strother of Riverside, California; and his son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Shari Darr Hodges of Artesia, New Mexico. His grandchildren, Jessica Hodges, Lindsey Hodges, Kristin Hodges, David Hodges, Logan Strother, Drew Hodges and Taren Hodges also survive him. Everetts only sister, Elizabeth Peters and her husband John live in Hope, Arkansas. Everett was preceded in death by his parents and his daughter Janie. Pallbearers will be family members, Virgel Jacquess, Keith Strother, David Hodges, David Peters, Jeff Keller and Ray Keller. Honorary Pallbearers include friends Leon Dudley, Lloyd Palk, Raye Miller, Joe Murshed, Mack Powers and many other friends, too numerous to mention. A simple thank you does not seem like enough to express the depth of gratitude that Everetts family has for all the caretakers that helped Everett through his journey. You know who you are, please also know the family will never forget the love and laughter you shared with Everett. A special thank you goes from the family to Jill Branch, mother of Drew Hodges, for the never ending attention she gave to Everett, using both her nursing skills and her compassion to attend to Everett when asked to and then some. A celebration of Everetts life will be conducted at the First Baptist Church of Artesia, New Mexico under the direction of Rick Sullivan. Everetts son, Jerry, who is the pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Gunnison, Colorado will conduct the celebration service. The grandchildren will also participate in this celebration of the life of Lucian Everett Hodges. Everett will be laid to rest at Twin Oaks Cemetery beside his parents and daughter. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Vista Care, Carlsbad, New Mexico or a favorite charity.