Evangelist Rhoda Hodges-Herring, 71, of Snow Hill, NC, passed away on Monday, March 31, 2025. 

The funeral service is scheduled for 1:00 pm on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at L.N. Forbes OFWB Tabernacle, 1800 Bishop L. N. Forbes Street, Wilson, NC.  Pastor Alpha Herring will deliver the eulogy. 

The family will be present for the public visitation which will be held one hour prior to the funeral service from 12:00 pm until 12:45 pm on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at L.N. Forbes Tabernacle, 1800 Bishop L. N. Forbes Street, Wilson, NC.

God, in His sovereign providence knew that this world would need a very rare gift, so He allowed Clarence and Mahala Hodges to become the proud parents of a jewel. On Tuesday, July 14, 1953 Rhoda Ann Hodges was born in Greene County, NC. God peacefully called her to eternal rest on Monday, March 31, 2025 surrounded by her loving family.

Rhoda received her formal education from the Greene County School System and graduated from Greene Central High School in 1971. She loved to learn and had a very extensive vocabulary. She was an exceptional writer and has assisted many family members and friends in some of their difficult assignments.

Born the 5th child out of 14, Rhoda loved her position and responsibilities to her family. Her main duties included cooking and taking care of her younger siblings. She was a hard worker and immediately worked outside the home right out of high school. Since growing up in a small rural town known for agriculture, it seemed fitting that she worked alongside her siblings in the tobacco fields. Her nurturing spirit drove her to continue working with children outside of the home and she happily taught Head Start. She also worked for the Caswell Center, Granite Glove and Lenox China for many years. She saw the need to help assist in caring for her Mother, so she opted for early retirement from Lenox China.  

In 1973, she married the love of her life, Alphonza Herring, whom she lovingly called “Al”. Their relationship was a roadmap for many who looked up to them and learned the meaning of everlasting love. They had two beautiful children; Alpha Jermaine and Ava Lyn who were the apple of their eyes. She loved being their Mommy and instilled numerous valuable lessons to them throughout their lives.  Rhoda and Al were empty nesters for less than one day; they picked up their nephew Andre Campbell and reared him as their own.  It didn’t stop there. They would eventually become foster parents and receive their certification license through the State of North Carolina with Methodist Homes for Children. Many children passed through their homes with lasting impressions made which is evident in the way they often return to visit. The doors to the Herring home were always opened and they welcomed anyone in need. Their house became a safe haven and a home whenever anyone was in need; family and friends alike.

Rhoda was brought up in Church and taught to believe in the power of God at an early age. Her mother was her living example of what it meant to live as a Christian. Her faith foundation began at Leventon Chapel OFW Baptist Church, Stantonsburg, NC. On January 23, 1981 she became one of the original members of the Perry’s Temple Full Gospel OFW Baptist Church under the pastorate of the late Bishop J. N. Perry, Jr. She worked alongside other women of the church to prepare food and assist in any way possible during the building of the edifice that we still worship in today. After receiving and accepting God’s call on her life, she preached her initial sermon on Sunday, August 31, 1986 entitled ‘You Are What You Eat’. She was a very vital part of the growth and betterment of the Church and was involved in and led many Ministries. She became an ordained Minister of the Middle Eastern District OFW Baptist Annual Conference of America, Inc.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Mahala Hodges; her granddaughter, Zeta Herring; two sisters, Janice Sanders and Sonna Singleton Gregory and one brother, William Hodges.

Ann, as she was fondly called by so many, Loved Her Family! She was the centerpiece that they would all come to for one thing or another. She truly enjoyed family gatherings and would often host holiday and Sunday dinners. Their time spent together was priceless.

She never had a harsh or mean thing to say about anyone. She simply saw the best in people. She was called by many earned titles throughout her life. Ma Rhoda taught many young ladies and women lasting lessons on cleaning, etiquette and she was big on the art of sitting like a lady. She would meet with many teenage girls in the neighborhood called The Alley to teach them how to cook, clean, sweep the floor and make perfume. Grandma Rhoda had numerous foster grandchildren to bestow her the honor of Grandma. Every child that came through her home called her Grandma and even some who she just made a lasting impression on. Evangelist Rhoda or Evangelist Rhoda Herring was a relatable preacher. She would give you the Word and sit down. The Youth loved to hear her preach because not only did they understand the message, they knew it would be relatively short.

In her pastime she loved gardening, making soap, jellies and canning fruits and vegetables. It was hard to catch her home on a Saturday morning because she would be out at yard sales, consignment shops and thrift stores. Because of her keen eye and vast knowledge of valuable merchandise, she barely had to buy anything new. She also loved contemporary gospel music, southern gospel music and especially hymns. One of her favorite vocal groups were the Gaither singers.

Rhoda Ann Hodges Herring was such a blessing to so many. She had a loving and motherly spirit. Her love for children extended far and wide. Not only did she preach the Word, she lived by the Word. In many situations you could find her pouring into the life of whoever was on the receiving end. She was loved and well respected by all who knew her. She was a rare jewel. As Proverbs 31:10 states, Who can find a virtuous women? for her price is far above rubies.

She leaves to forever cherish and treasure her memories to; her loving son, Pastor Alpha Jermaine Herring (Melanie), Pinetops, NC; her devoted daughter, Ava Lyn Herring of the home; her protective son, Andre Campbell, Aiden, NC; her beautiful grandchildren, Aaliyah, Micah and Joshua Herring; her caring siblings, Jannettie Sauls (Andrew), Carolyn Bryant (Henry), Daisy Swinson all of Snow Hill, NC, Maisy Johnson (Henry), Wake Forest, NC, Shirley Hodges (Aline), DeSoto, TX, James Hodges, Snow, Hill, NC, Teresa Hodges (Jack), Lancaster, TX, Michael Hodges (Angela) of Snow Hill, NC, Kenneth Hodges (Kimberly), Durham, NC and Rochelle Braswell (Tywane), Snow Hill, NC; her brothers and sisters-in-law, Willie Gregory, Brenda Hodges, Viola Williams (Bobby) Thurman Campbell (Joyce), Calvin Campbell, Ray Campbell, David Campbell, Laverne Campbell (Tanya), Benny Campbell, Linda Campbell and Lettie Hines; her aunt, Inez Moore (Bill), Wilson, NC; her godchildren, Mechell Braswell, Destiny Bell, Huley Hinnant (Geraldine) and Donnie Batts; her foster grandchildren Tremane Little, Zybreyah Parker, Malik Winstead, Gurnest Brown and Zyonte Blackwell, her special grandchildren Emmie Salinas, Terrance Bryant and A’miyah Turner who called her “my real grandma; a host of extra special nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends, including special friends, Delmarie Jones, Michael Giles, Martha Black, Nell Cannon and Caroline Speight.

Arrangements are entrusted to Stevens Funeral Home, 1820 Martin Luther King, Jr. Parkway, Wilson, NC.

Condolences may be posted to www.stevensfamilyfuneralhome.com or faxed to 252-991-5849.

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