Paula Carter Hodge

Paula Carter Hodge, 60, of Westel, Tennessee passed away on Thursday, March 20, 2025 shortly after 5pm at Parkwest Medical Center in Knoxville, Tennessee after valiant battles against Type I diabetes for fifty years and coronary artery disease for twenty-five years.

The guiding light in her life was always Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." She will be remembered for the Christian legacy of love, kindness, positivity and beauty that she cultivated over her lifetime.

She leaves behind at her earthly home Paul Randall "Randy" Hodge, her devoted and unconditionally loved husband of almost twenty-five years, and their precious Cocker Spaniel, Morgan Tucker Hodge, who has been her constant companion since he was rescued almost ten years ago.

Paula is also survived by her mother Margaret "Micki" Stinnett Adams, her sister Kathy Carter Jones, and her nephew William Heath Jones.

Her extended family includes her uncles Dana (Mary) Carter and Frank "PeeWee" Wilson, aunts Jean Stinnett and Patsy Carter, bonus daughter Keisha (Chris) French, bonus grandson Jadyn Gallaher, stepsisters Sonia Adams Bailey and Tonia Adams Chastain, special cousins Tonia Stinnett (Michael) Trent and Tommy (Tracy) Wilson, stepbrother Christopher Adams, a large number of cousins, nieces and nephews, and hundreds of friends that she loved as much or more than family.

She was preceded in death by her father Paul Ed Carter, her father-in-law and mother-in-law Paul and Ruby "Blackie" Hodge, her stepfather Harold Wayne Adams, her paternal grandparents Dorsey and Ruby Carter, her maternal grandparents Tom and Gladys Stinnett, numerous aunts, uncles and cousins, along with her beloved pets Brody Ignatius Thomas Charles Hodge, Patty Ann Hodge, and Bufkin Reese Hodge.

Her loved ones would like to make a special mention of the medical providers who have made Paula's life as comfortable and joyous as they could while growing to become friends with her over the years: Dr. Sara Negrotto and Dr. Gregory Brewer and their incredible teams who did everything within their power to help Paula manage her heart disease; Dr. John Hance and Dr. Bradley Bufkin and their dedicated teams who valiantly operated on Paula with more than all the skill and concern that a patient could request; Dr. John Miller, Missy Buchanan and the Southeastern Retina team who have diligently fought to help Paula with her retina issues; Dr. Casey Page and his team who graciously and caringly guided Paula in managing her diabetes; Dr. James Ogrodowski and his team who have kept her kidney disease from progressing, and Dr. Angela Meadows and the amazing team at Rockwood Medical Associates who quarterbacked all of Paula's medical care with kindness and love.

Paula, Randy and Morgan couldn't have lived life as fully or as comfortably as they have with Paula's health deteriorating were it not for the unending kindness and constant service shown to them by Samuel, Summer and Keegan Butler, Eddie and Donna Hayes, Jane Long, and Alberta Sills. These seven individuals have unfailingly and unceasingly improved the lives of Randy, Paula and Morgan with no thoughts other than what they could do to make the Hodge family happy.

Over the last six months, Paula was enjoying overseeing the construction of what one dear friend terms the "Garage Mahal." Johnnie Phillips, Jimmalee Duncan, Alan "Papaw" Holder and Robert "Bucky" Jackson have worked reliably, diligently, and painstakingly to bring Paula's ideas to fruition. While it is beyond sad that she will never get to see the completion of this project, the landscape of Westel Road has been changed and she loved seeing her vision become reality.

In preparation for her first open heart surgery in February 2001, Paula left explicit instructions for her funeral along with one outfit for spring and summer and another for fall and winter.

Fortunately, those plans were delayed for over 24 years and the entire world is grateful for that huge favor. Her wishes are being followed now as closely as possible with the exceptions that the outfits no longer fit and are out of style. Fortunately, she managed to have just the right thing hanging in her closet for this final occasion. Unfortunately, you will not be allowed to see her beautiful self because she demanded a closed casket.

Everyone who knew and loved Paula or who wishes that they had known her is invited to her graveside service at 2pm Eastern time at Oak Grove Cemetery in Rockwood. Paula will be laid to rest next to her always cherished father, Paul Ed Carter.

Please come as you are with the expectation that there will be a very short, simple and somber service followed by a lot of crying, hugging, laughing and remembering. Please brush up on the words to "Amazing Grace." You are likely to leave the cemetery with a realization that you better thank God for the people you love because He's only loaning them to us for a very short and indeterminate amount of time.

Please pray for beautiful weather, fulfilling fellowship and much love

Please feel free to commemorate Paula's passing in any way that makes you happy and that makes others feel loved. Her favorite charity was Operation REACH, P.O. Box 981, Kingston, TN 37763.

God bless each and every one of you. Hug your loved ones tight. Go love like Paula.