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ELIZABETHTON — On Saturday, August 6, 2022, Richarda “Ricci” Arlene Hodge, loving wife and mother, peacefully passed away surrounded by her family. Ricci was born on November 21, 1955, in Rock Island, Ill.
On January 25, 1979, she married her love, Edward Hodge. Ricci worked as a hair stylist during the earlier part of her life but in most recent years until her retirement, she worked as a caregiver for those within her community.
Ricci was one of the most loveable, special people you could ever meet. Seriously, ask anyone who knows her. You won’t hear differently. Not only was she the best mother to her own children but she was an honorary mother to so many others during her lifetime. She loved nothing more than to be surrounded by people who she could laugh and have fun with and people who enriched her life; often, without knowing exactly how much she was enriching theirs. Ricci was young at heart; that’s probably what made so many people attracted to her. She loved all things rock n’ roll — it wouldn’t be a stretch to hear her listening to Black Sabbath, Jimi Hendrix, Korn, or Rob Zombie…she probably loved it if she could rock out to it. Tie-dye, oh man. She loved tie-dye and wore it as often as possible. She also really loved action packed movies, specifically the Fast and the Furious franchise. Vin Diesel, anyone? Ricci was creative and talented; she would decorate extravagantly for the holidays; Christmas was always a favorite, paint ceramics of all kinds, create and sew ballet costumes, make clothing, crochet blankets, and recently took up the hobby of coloring. Most of all, Ricci enjoyed spending time with her family and anyone else who she loved and held dear.
Ricci was preceded in death by her father, Richard Montgomery, her stepfather, Kurt Lemke, and her beloved husband, Edward Hodge.
She will be greatly missed by her daughter and son-in-law, Melissa and Marc Tucker; her daughter and son, Kristin and Jeremy Hodge; her mother, Beverly Lemke; and her brothers, Kurt and Christopher Lemke. She was also the proud grandmother of Brianna, Donovan and Edward. Additionally, Ricci leaves behind her furbaby Hudson, and two grand furbabies, Horton and Darcy. The loss of Ricci exceeds any number of sentiments that could ever be included in this obituary because she was so, so loved.
There will be a Celebration of Life to honor Ricci at Tetrick Funeral Home in Elizabethton, Tenn., on Thursday, August 11. There will be a visitation from 5 through 7 p.m. with services following immediately after at 7 p.m. with Mr. Richard Nave and Mr. Christopher Lemke officiating. Friends may also call at the residence of a daughter, Kristin Hodge, at other times. We ask that you don’t feel obligated to wear black; she loved tie-dye after all! The service will be livestreamed and can be viewed by visiting our website at www.tetrickfuneralhome.com and clicking on Ricci’s obituary. A link will appear at the beginning of the obituary. Simply click the one room livestream link. The livestream will begin promptly at 7 p.m.
Ricci’s graveside service will be held on Friday, August 12, at 10 a.m. at Happy Valley Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be Christopher Lemke, Kurt Lemke, Marc Tucker, Dusty VanHuss, Thomas Graham and Bryan Townsend. Those wishing to attend the graveside service are asked to meet at the cemetery at 9:50 a.m. Friday. Ricci loved flowers and bright, colorful things, so those are always appreciated and welcomed but we would also love to see random acts of kindness performed in memory of her — she would have loved that. Words of comfort can be sent to the family through our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com.
Tetrick Funeral Home-Riverside Chapel, 211 North Riverside, Elizabethton, TN 37643 (423) 542-2232 is honored to serve the family of Richarda “Ricci” Arlene Hodge.