Ellen Irene Worley Hodge was called to her heavenly home, Saturday, February 21, 2015 at 99 years young. She was born April 26, 1915 in Dozier, Alabama to General Forest and Ellen Cora Driggers Williams. Spending her youth on a cotton farm in Alabama with 3 sisters and 6 brothers, her childhood stories could keep your attention for hours. She later moved with her husband Olin and 6 month old daughter to the Gainesville-Waldo area in 1934. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend
She was preceded in death by her mother, father, sisters and brothers as well as her husbands Olin Worley and Preston Hodge, son, Dan Worley of St. Augustine and great grandson, Logan Renegar.
Irene is survived by four daughters, Joyce Matthews (Howard) of Waldo, June Cribbs (Harvey) of Chiefland, Elouise Harris (E.F.) of Waldo, Pennie Lefkowitz (Steve) of High Springs, 14 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren and 29 great-great grandchildren.
She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Waldo and loved her Sunday school class where she was often referred to as “Sunshine” by her many friends because of her smile. Her love of children led her to work in the childcare field very early and she would go on to eventually own and operate the Mother Goose Childcare Center in Gainesville until she retired in 1981. She loved to fish, garden and play games like poquino (PO-KE-NO), scrabble and dominoes, but didn’t believe in letting even the youngest opponent win because even then she was helping them try harder, become better and maybe “eventually” beat her. If you knew her, you loved her and if you loved her, you were blessed. The legacy she leaves is one of respect, love and adoration and she will be always in the hearts of those she loved.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, March 1, 2015, at 2:30 P.M. at First Baptist Church of Waldo. Visitation will be held one hour preceding the services. Interment will be held Monday, March 2, 2015, at 11:00 A.M. at Forest Meadows Cemetery-Central, 4100 Northwest 39th Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32606. Arrangements are under the care of Forest Meadows Funeral Home.