A house RESOLUTION

 

TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF THE HONORABLE KENNETH F. HODGES OF BEAUFORT COUNTY, TO CELEBRATE HIS LIFE AND ACHIEVEMENTS, AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives were deeply saddened by the passing of the Honorable Kenneth F. Hodges, former member of the South Carolina House, on April 22, 2025, at the venerable age of seventy-three; and

 

Whereas, born February 11, 1952, in the Sea Island community of Bennetts Point, he was the son of Benjamin F. Hodges and Lydia Whaley Hodges. The young Kenneth finished his early education at Walterboro High School and next entered Clark College in Atlanta, Georgia, where he received a Bachelor of Arts, followed by a Master of Divinity from Morehouse School of Religion of Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta; and

 

Whereas, in 1982, Kenneth Hodges married his beloved Patricia, God blessing the couple with three children, Kendrea, Kenyatta, and Kenithea; and

 

Whereas, this man of faith returned to his native state in 1986 to become pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church in Bennettsville. On August 6, 1995, he accepted a call to the pastorate of Tabernacle Baptist Church in downtown Beaufort. For thirty years, he used his spiritual gifts to advance the Kingdom of God both there and abroad by serving as moderator of the Old Ashley Association, as a faculty member of the South Carolina Baptist Congress of Christian Education, and as an instructor for the Morris College Extension Program. Moreover, he was a member of three ministerial delegations to London and Africa, where he taught and preached; and

 

Whereas, Kenneth Hodges served in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 2005 to 2016 for House District 121 (Beaufort and Colleton counties). As a state lawmaker, he supported small businesses in rural areas because he believed self-employment was a way out of poverty. As a community-minded man, he further served on numerous boards, commissions, and advisory councils over the years and was a Bennettsville City councilman; and

 

Whereas, while Kenneth Hodges was best known for his duties as a pastor and state lawmaker, he was also a businessman and talented photographer. He owned LyBensons Gallery and Studio in downtown Beaufort, which featured some of his own photography, including photos he took of famous figures such as jazz trumpet player Dizzy Gillespie, entertainer Sammy Davis Jr., poet Maya Angelou, and civil rights icon Rosa Parks; and

 

Whereas, he leaves behind a legacy of community activism and preserving the history of the church and historic figures with ties to it including Harriet Tubman and Robert Smalls. One of his crown jewels was the monument to Tubman which he promoted for years leading fundraising efforts that finally culminated in a sculpture depicting Tubman leading a faction during the Combahee River Raid in 1863. The statue captures the moments when Tubman joined Col. James Montgomery on an armed steamer sailing from Beaufort on a raid at the Combahee Ferry. Tubman, who had extensive local knowledge of the waters of the Lowcountry, freed 750 formerly enslaved people; and

 

Whereas, Kenneth Hodges leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife, Patricia; his dear daughters, Kendrea, Kenyatta, and Kenithea; and a host of other family members, friends, and admirers. He will be remembered as a humble public servant and beloved South Carolina leader, one who will be greatly missed. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the passing of the Honorable Kenneth F. Hodges of Beaufort County, celebrate his life and achievements, and extend the deepest sympathy to his family and many friends.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family.

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