Martha Pat Hodge

Martha was born to sharecropper parents in Oxford, Mississippi on May 12, 1924. She attended grammar school in Oxford and later received a scholarship to study fashion design at Mississippi Industrial College. Unfortunately, Martha could not take advantage of the scholarship. Her parents announced that the family was moving to Oberlin, Ohio.

Martha, affectionately known to many as “Pat,” had envisioned a career as a fashion designer. Leaving Mississippi and the scholarship behind could’ve stunted her dream. But Martha always believed that she could do anything with God’s help. She began to sew and turned her talent into a business. Her unique, couture designs have been worn throughout the world. Anyone who has had the opportunity to see her work is amazed by her artistic talent.

Upon arriving in Oberlin, Martha joined Rust United Methodist Church and has been a faithful member ever since. She’s held numerous church roles: a Sunday School teacher, Church School Superintendent, Financial Secretary, Vice President of United Methodist Women, Chairperson of Higher Education, Chairperson of Missions, Youth Advisor, Director of Children’s Ministries on both the local and district levels and sang in the choir. In the early 90’s, Pat and a few of her close friends created the philanthropic group, Friends of Rust (FOR), and she later managed the Children’s Seed Project. It was at Rust where Pat began to fulfill her second dream of providing support and resources to uplift the spiritual, physical, and intellectual talents of parents and their children.

When you talked to her, Pat would share how busy she was with her Black history studies, fashion and crafting projects, planning for her garden, or being an advisor to anyone in need, but especially always desiring to help and inspire children.

Pat married the late Glen Hodge in 1947. They were married forty-two years and produced from their union two offspring, the late Glenn Hodge of Oberlin and the late Gail Ann Hodge Littlejohn. Martha enjoys close relationships with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, and her loving family and friends. She passed away at 101 years old, in the City of Oberlin on September 29, 2025.
 

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